Mars Wrigley Australia has donated $40,612 to Lifeline’s Ballarat and Harbour to Hawkesbury organisations to support the increased demand of lifesaving crisis support services during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
On average, Lifeline is now receiving one call every 30 seconds – an equivalent of around 3,000 calls each day – as more Australians reach out to the service as a result of the pandemic.
Lifeline Ballarat and Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury have used the donation to purchase 240 telephone headsets to ensure each volunteer has the equipment needed to provide lifesaving support now and into the future.
Mars Wrigley Australia general manager Andrew Leakey said the global COVID-19 pandemic has introduced challenges to millions of lives, with the company committed to supporting local communities.
“Through our donation to Lifeline, we hope to support the mental wellbeing of our community by ensuring volunteers have the equipment they need to carry out the critical, lifesaving crisis support work Australians need during this time and into the future,” said Leakey.
Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury CEO Wendy Carver said: “As a not-for-profit, we lean on community support and funding to keep our operations running and we’re very grateful for the generous support from Mars Wrigley Australia.”
“With Australians increasingly seeking Lifeline’s support to cope with the current environment, the donation of individual headsets will increase the safety of our crisis support volunteers and ensure we can continue to keep up with increased demand.”
The donation is part of Mars Incorporated’s global COVID-19 relief efforts, with Mars Wrigley Australia donating around $200,000 cash and in-kind donations to the community.
If members of the community are finding it hard to cope at this time, reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24/7) or text 0477 13 11 14 (6pm-midnight).
