Carrie's wrap - 25 August 2017

It’s not often I don a onesie to work (in fact I’ve never worn a onesie), but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to hit the phones today in comfort. It’s an exciting day for crisis support here in Canberra as over 120 volunteers participate in the Canberra Commitment Challenge. For the next three days our crisis centre will have every seat full, every hour, every day. The goal... to reach more individuals in need of support.  

As I write this in my Service ‘One’sie, compliments of Service One Alliance Bank, I have come to realise there is not a lot I wouldn’t do for Lifeline. It is an immense privilege.

A privilege, too, to read the nominations for our 2017 Women of Spirit Awards. Thank you to the Canberra community for nominating inspiring women and for bringing their stories to us to share. Next week, we will announce the finalists for the Awards, and on the 18th of September we will recognise the journeys of these women at our luncheon at the National Gallery. Please join us for this event. Tickets are available on our website.

Our Mitchell Book Warehouse is a hive of activity at the moment, with our EPIC Bookfair just two weeks away. Our EPIC Bookfair is a great day out for book lovers of all ages and we are pleased to bring you a special Family Day on Saturday 9 September, with the Gecko Gang, Prime Possum and Icon water providing great activities for the kids. Our Lifeline Canberra Ambassador Mel Breen will also be stopping by to get people active and promote our upcoming Fun Run!

Our Fun Run and Marathon will be held on 4 November and registrations are coming in thick and fast. Our early bird registration closes on 31 August, so get in soon for our special rate! The proceeds of your registration support our crisis support centre and help save lives in our community.

Special thank you to Josh Bee and Kate Butterfield who have registered for the Fun Run and created a ‘gofundraise’ page to raise additional funds for us. Wishing you all the best for your training, Josh and Kate – I can’t wait to see you at the start line.

Speaking of training efforts, I have been lacing up my runners a lot lately in preparation for our 4 November Fun Run. Who else is joining me in the 5km category? I need some competitive rivalry to up the ante on my training preparations!

Today; however, the runners are off and, as mentioned above, I’m donning a Service ‘One’sie as our team of crisis support volunteers, staff and I prepare for a big weekend with our Canberra Commitment Challenge.

After challenge comes celebration, and this week we have begun planning for our 2018 Gala Ball. Our Annual Gala Ball celebrates our supporters and raises much needed funds for Lifeline Canberra. Note 23 February 2018 in your diary and save the date for an extravaganza not to be missed! Thank you to Jillian Hart from Show Pony for helping us with our planning this week.