Sunshine Groupe supports surfing for Mental Health
Sunshine Groupe Managing Director, Christian Buxton, believes passionately that with enough research, a cure for mental illness will be found. He is particularly focussed on advocating awareness of coping strategies for men who live with mental health issues. Sunshine Groupe is proud to support Christian’s advocacy through an annual donation of $5,000 to One in Five, a not for profit organisation dedicated to funding research into a cure for mental illness. The Sunshine Groupe also supports the annual surfing event, The Bolt Blower Invitational, a surfing competition to raise funds and awareness of mental health.
The mission of the Bolt Blowers Invitational Surf Event is to empower people to understand mental illness and ease their pain and confusion regarding this medical condition. To do this, the ‘Bolt Blowers’ empower people through action.
Held annually, the retro surf competition involves participants riding original single and twin fin surfboards pre-dating 1983. Teams consist of seven surfers and must include at least one female surfer. There is a minimum of 12 teams and the proceeds go toward projects the Bolt Blowers feel passionate about that help those living with mental illness as well as their families, friends and support networks.
Now in its eighth year, The Bolt Blower Invitational Surf competition has raised over $160,000 towards outcomes aimed at improving the lives of people living with mental health issues. Funds are raised in several ways:
- Donations
- Entry fees for competitors
- Food, drinks and apparel sold during the competition
- Profits from our after-party event donation and a portion of the drinks sold
- A prize auction
- The support and expertise during the event from our volunteers who donate their time & skills