A CHARITY event at Richmond Golf Club raised $11,500 for the Conviction Group, a non-profit organisation that works to prevent youth suicide.
The 31st Annual Parramatta Diocesan Charity Golf Day was attended by 150 golfers from the Hawkesbury, Parramatta and Penrith areas, and included nine holes of golf, and lunch.
Organising committee member Ian Jordan said attendees listened to an emotional presentation from Conviction Group board member Chris Lee, about the circumstances of youth suicide.
“We’ve lost 11 kids in the last two years because of social bullying in Penrith, Parramatta and the Hawkesbury,” Mr Jordan told the Gazette.
“So we’re doing everything we can to help the plight of young people who get totally sucked into social media bullying.”
The Conviction Group hosts annual Young Men’s Health Forums that encourage young people to re-evaluate their perspectives on issues concerning their health, and provide them with tools to enhance their decision-making.
President of the Conviction Group, Dr Jason Pace, told the Gazette the funds raised by the golfers at Richmond will go towards running these young men’s programs.
“Conviction Group is a registered charity with over 100 volunteers that help run our programs. We run our programs at a very low costs, so the money raised by the golf day will be a huge help for us in running our programs for 2018,” he said.
“Our targeted group are high school boys as we believe this to be a critical period for young men to form opinions and values about themselves and their role in their world.”
A record $2000 was raised through the charity golf day raffle, with prizes on offer from Richmond Club and Catholic Church Insurance, as well as a new Toyota Corolla Ascent Sports donated by Parramatta’s Terry Shields Toyota. Punters were also able to purchase ‘mulligans’ or second-chance shots for $5.
Local companies Hawkesbury Accident Repair Centre, and the Anti-slip Company from South Windsor provided sponsorships, as did Diocesan Development Fund, and Oz Fashions.
Mr Jordan of the Diocese thanked all those involved and congratulated the competition winners.
“Don’t forget to mark in your diaries the 32nd Annual Diocesan Charity Golf Day on Tuesday, October 9, 2018. We look forward to another great day and a chance to again meet up with friends and golfing buddies,” he said.
The annual golf day raises money for a different charity every year. Last year, they raised approximately $12,000 for San Miguel Family Centre at Freemans Reach.
The next Conviction Group forum for western Sydney will take place in March next year. The group also runs in-school mentoring programs that run for 9-18 weeks, as well as school presentation days. The programs focus on mental health, drug and alcohol use, healthy relationships, violence, and self esteem and body image.
