A warning to Indigenous people – this story talks about and contains an image of an Indigenous person who has died.

Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) is supporting Lifeline’s World Suicide Prevention Day Walk With Us which is being held Friday 9 September.

The community walk from Dixon Park Beach to Merewether Baths and back, didn’t go ahead in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Lifeline Hunter Business Development Manager, Pat Calabria said the walk is an opportunity for people to come together, remember loved ones lost to suicide and show support for action to prevent suicide.

“NCIG is a long-time supporter of the event. I encourage other business leaders and teams to consider taking the walk with NCIG and other community members to show support for this vitally important community issue,” Pat said.

“The walk is a powerful way to raise awareness about suicide and ways we can all help with suicide prevention in our community.”

“We walk at dawn to symbolise bringing conversations around suicide out of the shadows to break down the stigma that surrounds suicide.”

“By coming together as a community, we can learn from other people’s experiences and be inspired by others’ actions,” he said.

Lifeline is receiving record calls to its 13 11 14 service as people deal with the impacts of the pandemic, financial stress, and other trauma.

“Our message on the day, and every day, is that Lifeline is here to listen to people in times of crisis and to offer hope,” Pat said.

Danny and Jacqueline Flaus and their family and friends will again be taking part in this year’s walk.

The East Maitland couple lost their 14 year old son Brady to suicide in 2018. Family and friends have walked in previous events wearing Team Brady shirts.

This year the couple has arranged for a surfboard to be created in Brady’s honour that will be raffled to raise funds for Lifeline Hunter’s suicide prevention services.

Donated by Jamie Carr from JCD Surfboards at Wickham, the board uses marine images from the Team Brady shirts that are also featured in a tattoo Danny has in memory of his son. On the other side of the board are the words “It ain’t weak to speak”.

Danny said they are Worimi people and Brady loved the water, so they have used images of a turtle, dolphin, and manta ray on the surfboard.

“We are itching to walk again to remember Brady and connect with and support others who have lost someone to suicide,” Danny said.

“We want to remind people who may be struggling that they are not alone – there are people to listen, to have a yarn with.”

“I hope the person who wins the surfboard takes it into the water, taking Brady with them into a place he loved.”

The event is free but registering prior helps Lifeline with event planning. Links to register for the walk or to purchase raffle tickets are on the Lifeline Hunter website. There will be a coffee cart and breakfast will be available thanks to the Lions Club.

If this story raises issues for you, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13 Yarn on 13 92 76.

IMAGE | Rory Danny and Jacqueline Flaus with the surfboard honouring Brady Flaus.