Paralympic athlete and JJJ radio personality, Dylan Alcott will visit Newcastle in September as guest speaker at a lunch which is the major fundraising event for Lifeline in the Newcastle and Hunter Region.

Dylan, who recently appeared on the Interview program hosted by Andrew Denton, will bring his inspirational life story to Newcastle for the event which is to be held at NEX King St on Friday September 21.

The event will raise funds for Lifeline’s face-to-face counselling and suicide support and education services in Newcastle and the Hunter.

General Manager, Services (Lifeline Direct), Robert Sams said he hopes the event will raise over $30,000.

“This year has seen more Australians seek help through Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis line and online services than ever before,” Robert said.

“However, suicide remains the leading cause of death for people aged between 15 and 44 in this country, with eight Australians taking their own life every day.’

“Whilst Lifeline’s nationally funded 13 11 14 24 hour phone service is well known, funds raised from this lunch will go towards our efforts in delivering a wide variety of additional face-to-face services to help address this issue locally here in the Hunter.”

The event is supported by ANZ Bank, who as well as bringing Dylan to Newcastle, will present the ANZ Face of Newcastle Art Prize as part of luncheon proceedings. The art prize will feature the works of ten local artists from the Hunter St TAFE Art School, with part of the funds raised from the auction of the artworks on the day going to Lifeline.

Leading Newcastle businesses have also got behind a 100 Club raffle as part of the event, with thousands of dollars of prizes being donated and up for grabs on the day.

IMAGE | Paralympic athlete and JJJ radio personality, Dylan Alcott.