Suicide prevention and mental health initiatives in the Illawarra will receive a boost thanks to The Race Against Suicide Raceday.
Four programs have been chosen from 20 applications to share in more than $35,000 in funding raised at the inaugural event.
The major beneficiary is The Man Walk, a local charity that combats social isolation and loneliness with free walk, talk, and support sessions for men. It will use $15,000 in funding to expand its network from seven to nine locations in the Illawarra, run Team Walker leadership courses, and host mental fitness sessions on building resilience, early intervention, peer support strategies, and distress response.
Raising The Bar Foundation’s new veteran care and social connection program, Lawn Duty will receive $10,000 to grow. It provides free lawn mowing services to elderly and isolated veterans in the region to ease financial pressure and ensure regular, meaningful interactions.
Lifeline South Coast will invest its $5,000 grant into the Eclipse Support Group for Survivors of Suicide. Participants complete an eight-week course with trained facilitators to build connections with others who have faced the same challenges, reduce stigma and shame, inspire hope, and build community connectedness
TALK2MEBRO initiative, Women’s Well Being Catch-Ups: Strengthening Connection and Resilience, will receive the remainder of funding. Its programs harness the proven impact of peer-led support to address the growing prevalence of mental ill-health. Free fortnightly catch-ups which incorporate breathwork and ice baths help participants with emotional regulation and overall wellbeing.
“Initial funding applications were reduced to a short list that was assessed by an independent panel of mental health professionals, community representatives, and stakeholders from The Race Against Suicide Raceday Committee,” The Illawarra Turf Club Operations Manager Chloe Hackett said. “Relevance and impact, feasibility, community involvement, and value for money were the main considerations.”
The Race Against Suicide Raceday was held at Kembla Grange Racecourse in June and more than 2,000 people attended. The Man Walk, Women Illawarra, Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative, Lifeline South Coast, Raising the Bar Foundation, Standby: Support After Suicide, and Talk2MeBro all had marquees on the lawn and racegoers were able to learn about the resources available and chat to representatives about their needs. Racing NSW’s peer support program, Racing Mates, hosted a barbecue in the stables for industry participants.
“Three of the four recipients of funding were involved in The Race Against Suicide Raceday, and we are delighted to be able to support their work,” Mrs Hackett said. “There is a great need for these programs due to increasing mental health concerns in the region.”
As a result of the success of the inaugural event, The Race Against Suicide and the fundraising associated with it has become a permanent fixture on The Illawarra Turf Club’s racing calendar.
Next year’s event will be held on Saturday, 20th June 2026.