Forty Craigieburn basketball coaches will hit the courts on Thursday night in a head-to-head game to raise money for suicide prevention charity R U OK?
Organised by Kiralee Clow, it will feature eight teams from the Hammers, Ravens, Panthers and Jetts basketball clubs, and is is being run in conjunction with the Craigieburn Junior Basketball Association (CJBA) Domestic.
Ms Clow came up with the idea to help raise awareness of the work R U OK? does after losing her friend, James, to suicide two months ago.
She said that since her friend’s death, she has focused on checking in on friends to check how they are coping.
In July she walked 30,000 steps every day to raise money for R U OK? in honour of James, who had just turned 30 when he died.
“It’s been a lot … but it made me look into R U OK? more,” she said.
Ms Clow said the CJBA players were excited to watch their coaches compete in the game.
“Every team has just jumped on it. It’s such a good cause,” she said.
“I want people to know it’s OK to say you are not OK.”
The game is at Craigieburn Stadium, 127 Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn, on Thursday, September 8. Doors open at 5.30 pm. Entry is $2.
If you or anyone you know is in need of support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
