George FM Steps In To Cover Shortfall For Lifeline

Unbelievably generous and vital support – that’s how Lifeline Aotearoa is describing the effort by George FM in meeting a shortfall in donations following the cancellation of the Rhythm and Vines festival earlier in the year.

George FM’s Tammy Davis, Lifeline Trust and Grants Manager Chloe Skeggs and Lifeline Operations Manager, Helena de Fontenay and General Lee from George FM.

For the last four years, Rhythm and Vines has generously donated a portion of its ticket sales to Lifeline - which amounted to roughly $30,000 per festival.

With the cancellation of the festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lifeline appealed for new donors to help fill the gap.

The call was answered by the team at George FM, who stepped in to raise funds to meet the shortfall.

George FM set up a 28-hour marathon DJ set called George Breakfast’s 28 Hour Give Back 2 Back from 6am on June 30 until 10 am on July 1 with a huge selection of DJs playing back to back over that time.

Part of George FM’s fundraising activity included a text to support code, TradeMe auctions (including a Lifetime pass to Rhythm and Vines) and a Givealittle page. Altogether George FM raised over $56,663, an extraordinary amount given the hard times we are all facing right now.

Lifeline Operations Manager Helena de Fontenay is understandably rapt with the extraordinary support from George FM and its listeners. The fact that people cared to donate what they could means so much, to have people care about Lifeline and the work they do is just priceless.

“Rhythm and Vines consistent support of Lifeline and Kiwi well-being over the years has made a big difference to us and we are incredibly grateful for that support, but the COVID pandemic means these are extraordinary times.

“Lifeline is not Government funded, so the money raised through George Breakfast’s 28 Hour Give Back 2 Back is an awesome boost for Lifeline.”

Lifeline and Tautoko receive up to 10,000 calls and send and receive around 30,000 texts every month from people in distress, including around 15 to 20 people a day at high risk of suicide. The money raised by George FM will help us support more people and ultimately save lives.

“A huge thank you to George FM for showing that Kiwis care about each other and will do what they can to support each other’s mental health and well-being,” adds Helena de Fontenay.

Donations to Lifeline can be made via its website: www.lifeline.org.nz. All donations go towards funding the Lifeline call centres in Auckland and Christchurch.

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