Leading Australian technology services and solutions provider, Data^#3, has announced Lifeline Australia as its new national charity partner.

Lifeline is the leading provider of crisis support and suicide prevention in Australia. With more than 55 years of continued experience and service in every state and territory across Australia, Lifeline is now receiving approximately one million contacts every year. This remains their most pressing funding need.

“As the company grows, we believe our obligation is to support the community so it grows,” said Data^#3 Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Laurence Baynham. “Data^#3’s Corporate Social Responsibility and Community program has worked with many worthy causes over many years. Supporting a national suicide prevention charity is a first for Data^#3, and I’m excited to see how our team makes a difference with Lifeline.”

Group Manager for OD & HR at Data^#3, Tash Macknish, said “Data^#3 continues to encourage staff commitment to the broader community by allowing all employees to take one day of paid leave each year to participate in voluntary programs. We look forward to supporting Lifeline through workplace giving, fundraising and volunteering.”

Macknish said the decision to partner with Lifeline was made in consultation with all Data^#3 staff. “We are happy to announce Lifeline as our national charity partner,” she said. “We asked our staff to name a cause close to their hearts and many took the opportunity to call attention to organisations working to support mental health within the community.” 

Lifeline was founded in 1963 by the late Reverend Dr. Sir Alan Walker, when he took a call from a distressed man who later took his own life. Determined not to let isolation and lack of support be the cause of more deaths, Sir Alan launched a 24-hour crisis support line. This service (13 11 14) now answers around 1,800 calls each day, with an average of 116 safety plans created each day in 2018 alone.

“On behalf of everyone at Lifeline Australia we were absolutely delighted to hear we have been chosen as Data^#3’s national charity partner. This partnership and the support of Data^#3’s staff will allow us to reach more Australians in their time of need. Each year Lifeline receives around one million requests for help. With the kindness and generosity of Data^#3, we can continue to be there 24/7 to provide hope – ultimately saving lives,” said Jessica Wood, Partnerships Manager at Lifeline.

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