Lifeline Hunter Central Coast (LLHCC) has formed a new panel of volunteer community ambassadors to help it raise awareness of suicide prevention and promote its services.
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New regional manager, and the organisation’s former board chair, Robert Sams, announced the panel today, which initially comprises former local board members.
Mr Sams said over time the panel would grow to include other interested community members.
The new community ambassadors are Peter Coughlan (business mentor), Chris Liddell (entrepreneur), Brad Luke (Newcastle City councillor and financial advisor), Amy-Lea Pettigrew (executive from Pettigrew Family Funerals and local community ambassador for Relay for Life and the Cancer Council), and Gillian Summers (former LLHCC chief executive and businesswoman).
The new group follows some administrative changes for LLHCC as it joins other Lifeline centres to be part of a broader umbrella group that will share some back-end and administrative services.
Mr Sams said this would mean even more locally raised funds can go directly to local suicide prevention services such as counselling, training and support groups.
He said this change meant there was no longer a local Lifeline board, hence the formation of the new group.
“Over time, the panel will grow to include others in the local community who are interested in supporting Lifeline’s work,” Mr Sams said.
“We still operate independently and serve our local community, we just enjoy the benefits of a shared administrative function.
“We are grateful to have such a dedicated panel of people who will help our team to gain ideas and support from the business and broader community.
Former chief executive Gillian Summers said she was thrilled to continue to be involved in the great work Lifeline does to save lives.
She stepped down from her role six weeks ago to run her Carrington-based manufacturing business.
“The other ambassadors and I are looking forward to volunteering to help with events, fund-raising ideas and opening connections to the business and broader community,” Ms Summers said.
Lifeline Hunter Central Coast estimates its saves about 5000 lives a year, and provides hope and support to thousands of others.
It relies on community support to fund more than 55 per cent of its local suicide prevention services.
