By Natasha Fujimoto
NO stranger to giving a helping hand, tireless community volunteer, Steve Neff has a favourite saying, “What we do for ourselves dies with us, what we do for others, lives on forever.”
For the last 12 years, Steve has spent every Sunday afternoon travelling to Bendigo, to answer calls for Lifeline, Loddon Mallee.
Providing lifesaving support via the 13 11 14 crisis line, Steve has been at the coal face of suicide prevention and said, “Lifeline is the most important thing I’ve ever done in my life.
“Lifeline is a 24-hour service and I like to think that I’m a part of an organisation that’s held in high regard. When we take a call, it’s like two strangers having a chat – we do what we can to ease caller distress.”
With suicide rates doubling since Covid and with growing financial stress increasingly contributing to caller anguish, Steve said there has never been a more pressing time for people to volunteer as crisis support operators as well work to eradicate the stigma associated with talking about suicide, fostering prevention, and enabling families to heal.
With these aims in mind, Steve is proud to present, Neffy’s Walk-Let’s talk! on Saturday, April 29 at Victoria Park in Shepparton.
A suicide prevention and awareness event, Neffy’s Walk – Let’s Talk! will feature a memorial candle walk for loved ones lost to suicide while Lifeline, Loddon Mallee crisis support operators as well as chaplains will be on hand to listen and chat for those in need.
With all welcome, all proceeds raised during the event will go towards training much needed crisis support telephone operators.
Starting at 4pm until 7pm, attendees can walk for as long or short a time as they wish. For additional information call Steve Neff on 040 0314858.
