Cocktails and Comedy Fundraiser for Blue Hope

Suicide takes 800,000 people each year, equating to one person every 40 seconds. This World Suicide Prevention Day (Tuesday, 10th September) local funeral homes and Queensland Police will host a fund raiser for a particularly at-risk group—the police force.

The event will be hosted by George Hartnett Metropolitan Funerals in Mt Gravatt (224 Newnham Road, Mt Gravatt) and will raise funds for Blue Hope, a suicide-prevention charity that is focused on providing support for current and former police officers everywhere. Starting at 6pm, the event will include guest speakers Hetty Johnston AM, Founder of child protection organisation, Bravehearts Foundation and Mark Kelly, Director of Blue Hope and former Federal Agent with the Australian Federal Police. In his active years, Mark worked numerous cases concerning crimes such as narcotics, human trafficking and terrorism. Now a provisional Psychologist and Behavioural Scientist, he hopes to be able to help create a mentally healthy and happier police force.

“Blue Hope is such an important charity and do exceptional work across the country. I remember hearing Andrew Ayers speaking on how the police our losing their mates to suicide and that the most challenging things they see are crimes against children. Having worked with Hetty and Bravehearts previously, I knew that we could create an event that would help make a difference in our community,” says Carrie Siipola-Fortunaso, Pre-Planning Consultant, Guardian Metropolitan Funerals Mt Gravatt.

Organised in conjunction with Mt Thompson Memorial Park, additional activities during the cocktail evening include photo opportunities with police pups and horses, raffles and prizes, as well as a performance by Glen Rhodes “Comedian Magician.”

“Police men and women give so much of themselves to do an incredible job in keeping us safe, so it’s only right that we should look out for them too,” says Carrie. “We hope that the people of Mt Gravatt and Mt Thompson will join us in an evening of fun that will help support people in crisis, not only in the local community, but across Australia,” she concludes.

Following a recent renovation that has transformed the funeral home into an elegant, bright and modern space, the George Hartnett Metropolitan Funeral serves as the perfect venue to host an elegant, fun yet meaningful night that will drive awareness and deliver much needed funds to this incredible initiative.

Register your attendance by making a donation by the 3rd September by contacting Carrie on 0429 467 870 or Toni on 0414 887 832.