The GIANTS and the Swans will have more than bragging rights and finals aspirations on the line in Sydney Derby XXVI on Saturday, with both teams competing for the annual Lifeline Cup.
While the mouth-watering matchup shapes as one of the biggest between the local combatants in years, the clash will again be used to highlight something far greater that football, in order to raise much-needed funds for those seeking help in their darkest hours.
Founded in 1963, Lifeline is Australia’s leading suicide prevention service and the proud partner of the Sydney Derby.
“We are delighted to be involved again with the Lifeline Cup for the Derby,” Lifeline CEO Colin Seery said at the Lifeline Cup launch at GIANTS Stadium on Wednesday.
“It’s our second year now and we are just so delighted to be involved with two great clubs, who we know believe that mental good health is as important as physical good health.
“We know that through dealing with the CEOs, the coaches, and the captains and it’s just a real honour for us to be involved.
“It’s really important to get the message across in relation to good mental health and destigmatizing mental health.”
During Saturday’s match alone, 334 people will call Lifeline in crisis or in need of help.
With the cost of one life-saving phone call being $39, Lifeline, with the help of the GIANTS and the Swans, is hoping to raise $13,026 to cover the cost of these calls during Saturday’s clash.
Seer said raising funds was vital to support the increased demand for their services.
“It’s been pretty well documented over the journey that the demand of services for Lifeline has increased significantly over the last number of years,” he said.
“To give you an example, yesterday we had over 4000 people contact us for the day, which is extraordinary when you think about
“That’s why it’s critically important that we are involved with the Derby and using two great clubs to get that message across that we are here for everybody when they need us.
“We are really looking forward to Saturday night, it was a cracking game earlier in the year, and may the best team win.”
Lifeline’s phone service (13 11 14) now answers over a million calls a year from Australians in emotional distress or crisis.
The services are made possible through the efforts of 1,000 staff and 10,000 volunteers, operating from over 60 locations nationwide.
Services and resources are provided through face to face, phone, text, and online.
Through its commitment to ensuring that no person in Australia has to face their darkest moments alone, Lifeline continue to work towards ensuring its services are available to any Australian who needs support at any time, and on any platform they feel most comfortable seeking support.
To donate please visit https://fundraise.lifeline.org.au/lifelinecupround2
The GIANTS take on the Swans in Sydney Derby XXVI for the Lifeline Cup on Saturday at 7:30pm at GIANTS Stadium.
