The classic collectable car will be raffled off in aid of Top Blokes Foundation – a not-for-profit organisation that provides group mentoring and social education programs for boys and young men.
Top Blokes Foundation’s Founder and CEO Melissa Abu-Gazalah said that Men’s Health Week (June 14-20) was the perfect time to launch the initiative, to raise awareness of the state of men’s mental health across Australia and the need for funding to maintain and grow crucial wellbeing programs.
“One in seven young men aged between 16 and 24 in Australia will experience depression or anxiety each year, and statistics show we are losing seven men and boys a day to suicide,” she said.
“Each ticket sold as part of this raffle will help young men across the country access essential mental health programs that reduce the risk of youth suicide, family violence, drug and alcohol
abuse and other risk-induced behaviours, empowering them to live healthier and more rewarding lives.
The Mustang raffle is the brainchild of Sheona Devin, an Australian entrepreneur and philanthropist who donated the car in honour of her father Mike – a vintage car lover who endured his own mental health challenges following his wife’s battle with two cancer diagnoses.
“My family could see that dad was hurting, that he was struggling,” Sheona said.
“I wanted to create a project that allowed him to work with expert mechanics and other blokes on something he loves – rebuilding a beautiful classic car – while supporting each other’s mental health at the same time.”
It achieved the desired outcome and Sheona hopes to extend the life of the project by raffling off the car to raise awareness of Top Blokes and provide men of all ages with more avenues to seek the emotional and wellbeing support they need.
The A-Code Mustang Fastback has been restored with a 289 Windsor V8 motor, C4 automatic transmission, styled steel wheels, a honey gold exterior and an ivy gold interior, “and is a fantastic machine,” says head mechanic Dave Swarbrick.
Raffle tickets are available to purchase individually for $30 or in bundles until Friday, July 30, 2021, with the raffle open to residents aged 18 and over in NSW, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria.
The winner will be announced via a live raffle draw on Saturday, July 31, with the prize including 12 months’ comprehensive insurance, 12 months’ registration, transfer duty and delivery.
A prize pack from star Supercars Champion motor racing driver Andre Heimgartner is also up for grabs, including a TAG Heuer watch worn by him for the duration of the 2020 Supercars season, valued at $4,000, and race-worn OMP race gloves signed by Heimgartner. There are also eight $200 Bunnings or Autobarn vouchers up for grabs.
“Buying a raffle ticket not only gives you the chance to win this incredible Mustang, but it helps to give today’s young men the tools to navigate life’s hurdles, which can help to make real impacts and lasting changes to the future of men’s mental health in Australia,” Ms Devin said.
Tickets can be purchased at topblokes.org.au until July 30, 2021.
Chance to win mustang and support men’s mental health
CAR lovers have the chance to win a beautifully restored 1965 Mustang Fastback worth an estimated $90,000 when it goes to raffle in July in support of men’s mental health.
