A $25,000 boost for LifeLine Waikato will mean the organisation can offer expanded help and support to young people who find themselves in anguish or at the end of their tether.

The money was raised for the organisation at a charity golf tournament and auction run in October at the Ngaruawahia Golf Course. It was organised by Hamilton man Ken Moran and the manager of the Cock and Bull pub, Paul Gibson.

The two men spent almost a year organising the event, which drew 29 four-person teams. Each team paid $140 for their games, and a number of the holes around the course were sponsored at $300 each.

Shelley Walker, director of LifeLine Waikato, said she was astounded at the generosity of so many people who took part in the day.

“We had all these auction prizes donated to us – mountain bikes, an All Black’s jersey, two Chiefs’ jerseys, heaps of vouchers, even some David Tua memorabilia,” she said. The money is to be used to promote mental health and well-being, with a particular focus on younger people. As well, workshops may be run to help young people cope with anguish, despair, relationship crises or other difficulties in their lives.

“We want young people to realise that it is perfectly o.k. to ask for help if they find they can’t handle a problem, or if things are going badly for them,” she said.

“We want them to feel they can call LifeLine any time, day or night, 24 – 7, and ask for help, no matter what the problem is. They shouldn’t wait until the problem gets to crisis point.”

Ms Walker said this year had seen an almost 60 per cent increase in calls from people seeking help.

“We’ve had a record number of male callers, and in October alone we had more than 250 calls from males,” she said.

“Mainly they’re seeking help with a crisis over a relationship, or else they are having serious financial worries.” Ms Walker said LifeLine was always able to provide help for such people, and the $25,000 boost to the charitable organisation’s funding means it can continue to carry on helping people in difficulty.