Residents come together in aid of LifeLine
Residents of Benoni turned out in numbers to support the LifeLine Ekurhuleni “Walk With Heart” fun walk, on February 7.
The 2.5km, 5km and 7.5km walks were held to help raise funds for LifeLines’s 24/7 counselling helpline.
This comes after the City Times reported, in December, last year, that LifeLine Ekurhuleni’s counselling services might be facing closure.
LifeLine Ekurhuleni is a registered non-profit and Public Benefit Organisation (NPO) that focuses on providing free counselling services and enhance the emotional well-being of the broader Ekurhuleni community.
They also offer companies an Emotional Wellness Programme, to enhance social well being within the organisation.
Lauren Torlage, board member at LifeLine Ekurhuleni, said the the walk was their way of standing up and doing something for themselves.
“It was also to create awareness of depression and mental health,” said Torlage.
In a previous article in the City Times, Debbie Richards said it costs R20 000 a month to keep the Benoni counselling site open and it costs R15 000 to run the Tsakane branch.
“We have had to cut wherever we can; there are a few counsellors who are available, but not all the time,” said Richards.
The organisation is still pleading with the business sector to sponsor their services.
Charmaine Harris, from Boksburg, said she heard about the centre through her sister-in-law.
“I took part in the walk because the centre is very close to my heart; the walk was fun and I would definitely do it again,” she said.
Torlage said they are thankful for the support they have received from the public and local sponsors.
“It shows that the community of Benoni can pull together for a great cause,” she added.
It was not clear how much money had been raised at the time of going to print.
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