Fighting for lives - TSPN

Hi, my name is Kirsten and I'm a teacher here in Townsville. A complete novice to boxing, I will be stepping into the ring on October 14th for Fight For Your Cause.

I have chosen to fight for the Townsville Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) because their fight is a fight close to my heart, and it's a fight we need to win.

I've been teaching for over 10 years now and during that time I've encountered the impact suicide can have on individuals, families and communities.

Sadly most of us will, at some point in our lives, be touched by suicide in some way: be that through the loss of a loved one, friend or colleague to suicide, or through knowing someone who has attempted suicide. It may be that we have even had suicidal thoughts ourselves.

In my years as a teacher I have worked with Australian Defence Force (ADF) families, children from rural communities and children from aboriginal and Torres Strait islander communities. These are just a few of the groups which research has shown are at risk in our local community.

Research shows that for every suicide death at least 135 people are directly impacted.  In a community like Townsville, this ripple effect can feel like a tidal wave. 

It is for this reason that suicide prevention is everybody's business and it takes a whole community, united in purpose and vision, to effect change.

The Townsville Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) works within the Townsville region; incorporating Magnetic Island and Palm Island. Their Community Action Plan takes a multifaceted and multilevel approach, and targets the greatest at-risk groups including the Ex-ADF community; Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community and the LGBTIQ community. They also work alongside affected families with crisis care, aftercare and bereavement support.

The TSPN works with evidence-based strategies and recognises that localisation and local delivery is key to ensuring successful prevention. In order to be able to continue with research, programs and and community based support-networks the TSPN needs funding and this is where Fight For Your Cause comes into the equation.

To say I'll be out of my comfort zone training over the next 10 weeks is an understatement but it will also be a priviledge to fight alongside the other competitors, all of whom will be in that ring to raise money and awareness for some amazing causes. 

I am looking forward to the mental, physical and emotional battle I'm about to endure, but it will never be like the battles some people have to suffer.

Thank you in advance for your support - every dollar will make a difference and 100% of the funds the TSPN receive will go into reaching their goals.

See you on the 14th October: Townsville RSL Stadium