Throw out a Lifeline to service

Business houses and individual players are being encouraged to put together golf teams of four and get into the swing of fundraising for Waikato LifeLine.

The voluntary counselling organisation is to run its annual fundraising golf tournament on February 15 next year at the Narrows Golf Course.

February 15 is National LifeLine Day.

Waikato LifeLife communications officer Jarel Phillips said she is hoping to get a maximum of 24 teams for the tournament, which will begin with registration and a barbecue at 11.30am, with a shotgun start at 12.15pm.

It will finish at 5.30pm, with prize- giving and an auction.

‘‘ We are offering $ 300 hole sponsorships to business houses around the Waikato, and team- entry fees are $140,’’ Miss Phillips said.

‘‘We have already been given great support from a number of businesses, and we hope others will come in to what is a very worthwhile project. The tournament is a really good way for businesses and the community to get together, have an enjoyable day and also contribute some real help for a very necessary community support organisation.

‘‘ In February this year our first tournament raised $10,000. We hope to do better than that in the 2013 tournament.’’

Miss Phillips said all money raised will go into running the LifeLine call centre in Hamilton, as well as being used to support the recently-started face-to-face counselling service, and for general operational costs.

The Waikato LifeLine service receives more than 6000 phone calls a year from members of the public seeking support.

It has more than 60 trained volunteer counsellors, and now also has a service in Hamilton.

Contact Jarel Phillips on jarelphillipslifelinewaikato@ gmail.com.