With construction workers six times more likely to die from suicide than a work accident, the organisation ‘MATES in Construction New Zealand’ was deemed a deserving charity for the Master Builders Nelson and the NZ Certified Builders Nelson Charity Golf Day.
About 80 builders partook in the November event at Greenacres Golf Club on Best Island with $6000 raised for the charity.
“It was a great day, heaps of fun with lots of good camaraderie. It was a good chance for builders to get together and unwind,” says Ruben Fry, president of Master Builders Nelson. “Holding it for charity also makes it feel good.”
With the construction industry losing nearly one person a week to suicide, the MATES programme builds and strengthens communities in the workplace and across the industry – helping their people to be supportive and provide an environment that encourages positive wellbeing.
MATES engage with workers through on-site training and providing those identified as at risk with case management support that connects them to suitable professional support.
President of NZ Certified Builders Nelson, Dave Gunter, says the many stresses of the industry contribute to the horrifying statistics.
“With increasing material costs, compliance issues and sourcing of materials becoming difficult it can all become a bit much for some, so it was important to us to support this charity,” Dave says.
Each year the two organisations host a joint golf day and this is the second year they’ve held it as a fundraising event, last year’s proceeds went to Gumboot Friday.
Ruben and Dave say they’re grateful to the sponsors, without whom a lot of it wouldn’t be possible.
