Facebook group The Virtual Pub will hold its first-ever fundraising event this Saturday at the Kearsley Hotel.
The event aims to put men’s mental health in the spotlight, while raising money for the Black Dog Institute.
Organiser Callum Orchard said it’s shaping up to be a big day for a great cause.
The event will include live music, a motorcycle show and shine, a ute display, rally cars, a barbecue, face painting, airbrush tattoos and a pop-up barber shop.
A massive silent auction will be held on the day, with items including signed Australian Rugby League Test team jersey, a framed tribute poster from Paul Harragon, a Mike Hussey cricket bat and more cricket, AFL and horse racing memorabilia, and hypnotherapy vouchers.
The fundraiser will start at 11.30am Saturday. Find out more at the Facebook event ‘Virtual Pub puts bite on the dog’.
EARLIER REPORT: The Virtual Pub bites the ‘black dog’ back
OCTOBER 24 2017 - 12:00PM
FUNDRAISER: Brainard Antonio from Antonio's Barber Shop, The Virtual Pub's Callum Orchard, Ryan Bown and Brendon Williams (with some of the items that have been donated), and Stephen Donn from Kearsley Hotel.
Whoever said men don’t like to talk about their feelings mustn’t have heard of The Virtual Pub.
The secret Facebook group – which has 45,000 members – will hold its inaugural fundraiser for men’s mental health at the Kearsley Hotel, near Cessnock, next month.
The Virtual Pub was started by a group of Singleton mates in March this year and now has members from as far away as Florida and Sweden.
Co-founder Ryan Bown said the idea of the group was to create a space for men to engage in everything from pub-style banter to serious discussion – from the comfort of their own homes.
“For some people with anxiety and depression, it’s hard to get out to the pub,” he said.
“It’s a great bunch of blokes, everyone’s willing to help.
“There are no silly questions, and no stupid answers.”
Cessnock’s Callum Orchard joined The Virtual Pub about four months ago and has become an active participant.
Mr Orchard has battled depression – he reached his lowest point on Anzac Day 2016, when he tried to take his own life.
He says he wants to give back to others who need help.
“I don’t want anyone to feel the way I felt that day,” he said.
Mr Orchard put the idea of holding a fundraiser for the Black Dog Institute to his mates at The Virtual Pub and has been overwhelmed with support.
He said the Black Dog Institute not only does important work for mental health research and treatment, the name itself resonates with many members of The Virtual Pub.
“Often someone will start a post by saying ‘I’ve had a rough day, the black dog is nipping at my heels’,” he said.
Kearsley Hotel publican Stephen Donn came on board and offered a venue for the fundraising event, and donations for auction prizes have come from far and wide.
The fundraiser will be held on Saturday, November 11 from 11.30am and will include live music, a motorcycle show and shine, a ute display from Cessnock Mitsubishi, a barbecue courtesy of Morton’s Meats, and a pop-up barber shop by Antonio’s (who will be doing head shaves, beard trims and touchups, with all proceeds to go to the Black Dog Institute).
A massive silent auction will be held on the day. Items that have been donated so far include a signed Australian Rugby League Test team jersey, a framed tribute poster from Paul “The Chief” Harragon, a Mike Hussey cricket bat and more cricket, AFL and horse racing memorabilia, and hypnotherapy vouchers.
Mr Orchard will speak about his battle with depression at the event.
“It will be pretty emotional and raw, but that’s kind of the point,” he said.
“It’s not just a fundraiser, it’s shining a light on the fact that you can talk about it (depression).
“If you can face the black dog every day, you’re f***ing brave, but if you can turn around and talk about it, you’re even braver.”
The fundraiser will start at 11.30am. Find out more at the Facebook event ‘Virtual Pub puts bite on the dog’.
Find out more about the Black Dog Institute’s work at http://ift.tt/LWJAGb.
CRISIS SUPPORT INFORMATION
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
- MensLine 1300 78 99 78
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