Lifeline’s Christmas Appeal Launch

Every 5 minutes someone calls Lifeline for help but demand over Christmas time can be especially high. This festive season Lifeline are expecting to help over 17,000 New Zealanders.

Today Lifeline is launching its 2015 Christmas appeal - a time when many New Zealanders experience heightened levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal feelings.

“Christmas is meant to be one of the happiest times of the year but for many kiwis Christmas can be a very sad period. It’s a time, for example, when people feel their losses most acutely. We think of ill or passed loved ones and we tend to worry more about financial issues and relationship problems,” says Debbie Greenfield, Lifeline’s Fundraising Manager.

“This Christmas we are asking as many New Zealanders as possible to join our campaign by either donating or fundraising for Lifeline so we can meet demand over the next weeks,” said Ms Greenfield.

Lifeline is encouraging people to get creative in their fundraising efforts.

“Some of our wonderful supporters have already come up with innovative methods such as donating the proceeds of sales from a homemade chilli sauce! The fabulous ladies from the Richter City Roller Derby are going without their favourite things for a month. Their awesome efforts have already raised enough to help 114 people,” said Ms Greenfield.

“Every donation you make to Lifeline will make a life changing and sometimes life saving difference. $20 can provide an hour of counselling to someone in crisis. Having someone who is non-judgmental, empathic and skilled to talk to when you are feeling desperate is essential. Lifeline have had over fifty years experience doing just this,” said Ms Greenfield.

Lifeline’s 24/7 helpline receives no Government funding so is reliant on donations to be there for New Zealanders.

Lifeline’s 24/7 Helpline (0800 543 354) is a free and confidential counselling and support service for people in distress or crisis.

Please visit lifeline.org.nz to donate, or learn more.

ENDS

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