Fundraiser delivering sober message
A NATIONAL fundraising initiative to reduce drug and alcohol- related harm among young people began this month and is open to all North Queenslanders.
Ocsober gives adults the opportunity to take a month off alcohol during the month of October to raise funds for Life Education, the largest non- profit provider of drug and health education to Australian children.
The Townsville facility, based at Hermit Park, has a mobile classroom visiting primary schools to educate youth on the effects drugs, alcohol and other substances have on the human body.
CEO of Life Education Queensland Michael Fawsitt said Ocsober was about responsible consumption of alcohol.
“We are challenging adults to set an example,” he said.
“Fundraising ensures Life Education can continue to get important messages across to local youth.”
The Townsville Life Education unit has three employed educators working in primary schools and secondary schools, with administrative volunteers helping in delivering the programs.
Mr Fawsitt said they did a fantastic job teaching everything from nutrition to cyber safety, healthy relationships, smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs.
“Life Education is based on the fact that early intervention is important,” he said. “It’s about teaching kids from an early age before they get to these social and health problems later on.”
Mr Fawsitt said it was not too late to take part in Ocsober.
“A lot of people wanted to wait until footy finals were over, so now is the perfect time participants can continue on to the early days of November,” he said.