Raising funds for suicide awareness and prevention, Cruise 4 Hope will leave Shepparton Motor Museum on Sunday 19 March and visit locations in the Goulburn Valley. Funds raise will go to headspace Shepparton. The cruise commemorates Michael Mammone, who passed one year ago.
A Shepparton father is doing his part to raise funds for suicide awareness and prevention in memory of his son. Michael Mammone was just 20 years old when he took his life on March 15 last year. Frank Mammone has organised a Cruise4Hope to raise funds for headspace Shepparton, which, in the wake of their loss, offered Michael’s siblings Marco, 24, and Giulia, 14, support and guidance.
“They (headspace) helped both Marco and Giulia out to cope with the death of Michael,’’ Mr Mammone said.”headspace said they didn’t get a great deal of government funding, so I said I’d organise a fundraiser for them.”
The cruise is set for Sunday, March 19, a few days after the one-year anniversary of Michael’s death. It is open to cars and motorbikes and will depart from the Shepparton Motor Museum at 10am, travelling through Tatura, Rushworth, Murchison, Nagambie and returning back to the museum. “They don’t have to be hotted up, it’s a family day,” Mr Mammone said.
Upon completion of the cruise there will be entertainment, live music and the chance to win plenty of prizes. Mr Mammone thanked the many businesses and people who had jumped on board with support, including Craig Comline, Nigel Parsons and Craig Veysey. “We’re still obviously looking for donations, so any business or anything of that nature, if anyone wants to make a donation it’s all tax deductible,” Mr Mammone said.
Mr Mammone has been working on the cruise since about October last year and hoped the money raised would allow headspace to continue working with schools and youths. ‘‘(I’ll be happy) if I can prevent one death and one family going through what we’ve been through,’’ he said.
Registrations for the cruise will open from 9am to 9.45am at the motor museum before the cruise leaves. Cost for the day is $25 per person and includes lunch and entry to the motor museum, with children under 12 entering for free.
If you are troubled by this report, experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can phone Lifeline on 131114 or beyondblue on 1300224636 or visit lifeline.org.au or beyondblue.org.au
Story courtesy Shepparton News, flier courtesy Murray Public Health Network
