MaxiTRANS has raised another $15,000 for ‘R U OK? Day, through an annual initiative that seeks to raise funds for the mental health and suicide prevention campaign.
The trailer business joined forces with its dealer partners Mildura Truck Centre & G&A Lombardi, donating 1% of the purchase price from all new trailers, truck bodies ordered, and parts purchased from participating outlets.
‘R U OK? Day’ is held every September and encourages people to trust the signs and ask friends, colleagues and family members ‘R U OK?’
The funds raised by MaxiTRANS in 2020, brings the company’s total donations to almost $60,000, since it began raising money for ‘R U OK? Day in 2017.
Though this year things were a little different. Current COVID-19 restrictions meant the usual MaxiTRANS staff gatherings that have been used to help celebrate and promote the day couldn’t take place.
Instead, staff participated in online mental health sessions provided by the Company’s EAP provider to learn ways to deal with mental health and join in discussions around mental health awareness.
“This year made it even more important for us to stop to reflect on ’R U OK? Day’ and the message it delivers. The need for increased awareness of mental health and the challenges it places on everyone is certainly more evident at this particular point in time,” says Dean Jenkins, MaxiTRANS Managing Director and CEO.
“It was great to see such an overwhelming amount of support from our customers this year. Support towards the campaign this year has far exceeded previous years which has been really fantastic to see. Our customers can feel proud knowing their contribution to ‘RUOK?’ will go a long way towards continuing to provide much needed support and awareness for suicide prevention in our industry.”
One of one MaxiTRANS’ company values is: ‘Send all our people home safely’. Jenkins adds that safety extends to mental wellbeing, which is why the business has continued its investment towards mental health discussion even in the current COVID world.
“It was fantastic to see so many of our staff embrace the virtual sessions, using the time to take the opportunity to obtain knowledge and join in discussions about mental health,” says Jenkins, adding that feedback from staff who attended the sessions had been extremely positive.
If you or someone you know is in need of crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp .