Sunshine Coast community joins forces to raise over $24,000 for mental health at ‘Meats for Mates’ event.
Sunshine Coast community joins forces to raise over $24,000 for mental health charities at 'Meats for Mates event.
The annual event, now in its second year, saw more than 150 punters flock to the Brewhouse in Warana for a jam packed day of quality yarns, smoked meat, good beer and fundraising.
Organised by three local businesses, Your Mates Brewing Co., 92.7 Mix FM and Cotton Tree Meats, the aim of the event was to promote awareness for mental health and raise funds for three dynamic mental health organisations: LIVIN, Young Veterans Sunshine Coast and Grab Life by the Balls.
Several guest speakers told inspiring stories of mateship and shared insightful advice on maintaining positive mental health, including AFL legend Leigh Matthews, founder of LIVIN Casey Lyons, and comedian Seamus Evans.
Brent Colautti, our retail manager, said the event was a colossal success.
“We raised over $24,000 dollars for three amazing charities, with funds divided between each charity to assist in their incredible mental health initiatives,” he said.
Mr Colautti said the event was in high demand, selling out a week prior to the planned date.
"[The demand] was crazy... we had to increase ticket availability after selling out... and after selling out a second time, we still had punters chasing tickets."
Mcgarry, our co-founder, was in attendance on the day and said the place was 'buzzing' with positive energy.
"Over the American Pale Ale we brewed for the day and the succulent 12 hour slow cooked feast, we shared some epic conversations that were both open and honest," he said.
"This is exactly what I think Meats for Mates is about, creating an opportunity for us to open up and talk about things that we normally wouldn't."
President of the Young Veterans Sunshine Coast chapter, Peter Kennedy, who was also there on the day, said it was great to see a room full of strangers finish the day as mates.
“These events are so important as they generate awareness and conversations about mental health,” he said.
“This event has helped us not only with funds but also awareness of what we do.”
A sentiment shared by LIVIN founder, Casey Lyons, who said the event did a great job of 'connecting people around a centralised theme of mateship', and raised critical funds for LIVIN's initiatives.
"Given the current economic climate, securing funding has become much harder and unpredictable," he said.
"The money raised on the day helps us deliver much needed mental health education into schools free of charge."
Meats for Mates will be back bigger and better next year.