Category: Media Release

Group of six men in cycling gear on top of a hill

Magic Ride 2023 aims to raise $150k to send 100 kids to Camp Magic

Posted on | by Michelle Wright

Magic Ride kicks off at 8.30 am on Thursday 13 April 2023. 33 riders will cycle 500km over four days to raise $150,000 to fund 100 kids to attend Camp Magic, Feel the Magic’s signature three-day camp for grieving kids.

Riders will cross the finish line to the cheers of Campers at Camp Magic, Birrigia Outdoor School, Tharwa on Sunday 16th April at 1.50 pm.

Raising funds to support grieving kids and families

Adam Blatch, Chief Executive Officer Feel the Magic, who is also part of the dedicated riding crew, is grateful to the 33 riders, their donors and support crew for their commitment and effort.

“1 in 20 kids in Australia will experience the death of a parent before they turn 18, that’s just over 300,000 children or one in every classroom. Based on this, we are all likely to know a family affected by parent loss. In addition to this, kids also experience sibling loss.

Bereaved young people commonly suffer challenges including anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, which contributes to the nearly one-quarter of young people in Australia who experience some form of mental health challenge. We aim to reduce the mental health challenges associated with childhood grief and provide the education, support and community for kids to live healthily with grief”.

Mike Tomalaris, Australian news and sports presenter has anchored the world’s biggest annual sporting event on Australian television for 26 years and seen the Tour de France coverage develop to be the spectacle it is today.

Mike will join the riding crew on day four, Sunday 16th April cycling 67km to arrive at the finish line at Camp Magic, Birrigai Outdoor School, Tharwa ACT.

Magic Ride – A Vital Community Fundraiser

From its beginnings in 2020, Magic Ride has become a vital community fundraiser to help fund camps, research and resources for grieving kids and families. All Feel the Magic camps, programs and resources are free of charge (and some camps are virtual) so there is no barrier to families seeking the support they need.

Since 2020, the generosity of Magic Riders, sponsors and supporters has enabled Feel the Magic to:

  • Raise almost $282k so far
  • Fund 4 Camp Magic camps
  • Educate 188 children through the Camp Magic experience

Read more about Magic Ride 2023 and Feel the Magic in the press release.

Strike out suicide

Saving lives: One ‘boxing strike’ at a time

Posted on | by Adam Blatch

Sadly 8.6 Australians die every day from suicide. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44.

Strike Out suicide

The inaugural national Strike Out Suicide 14 day challenge starts soon on Monday 5 December and Feel the Magic is a proud and grateful beneficiary of the challenge.

Founded by former professional footballer and TV presenter Troy Gray – who was himself affected by suicide at the height of his sporting career – is making it his mission to unite people across Australia to Strike Out Suicide.

Media Release – Strike Out Suicide 2022

REGISTER NOW FOR THE NATIONAL STRIKE OUT SUICIDE

14-DAY CHALLENGE FROM 5 – 18 DECEMBER 2022

SAVING LIVES: ONE ‘BOXING STRIKE’ AT A TIME

8.6 Australians die every day by suicide.  That’s more than double the road toll.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44.

The 14 day challenge starting on Monday 5 December 2022 is an annual campaign encouraging participants across Australia to complete daily boxing strikes to save lives, remove the stigma around mental health and inspire others through connection, hope, fitness, and fun.

Participants are invited to throw as many boxing strikes as they can during the two week fundraising period to bring awareness to the growing incidence of suicide; in addition to removing the stigma and educating the public.  Funds raised via this year’s Strike Out Suicide challenge will benefit the charity initiatives* supported by the Good Blokes Society – helping men to connect, and openly discuss their mental well-being.

A great way to spend the first two weeks of December, the Strike Out Suicide challenge will advance your fitness, improve your mood, reduce stress, and benefit your mental health.  Each participant will throw as many boxing strikes as they can daily during the fundraising period – no boxing experience or equipment is needed… and shadow boxing is fine!

Pick your challenge – how many strikes can you complete each day.

Track your progress – track your daily strikes and monitor your fundraising progress.

Make a difference – the more ‘strikes’ you throw, the more you and everyone you prospers.

Founded by former professional footballer and TV presenter Troy Gray – who was himself affected by suicide at the height of his sporting career – is making it his mission to unite people across Australia to Strike Out Suicide.

* The charity initiatives to benefit from Strike Out Suicide are Outside The Locker Room and Feel The Magic.  Outside the Locker Room is a registered charity providing mental health education and welfare support to sporting clubs, schools and workplaces across Australia.  Feel The Magic is an Australian charity providing early intervention grief education programs for kids aged 7 to 17, who are experiencing pain and isolation due to the death of a parent, guardian, or sibling.

Would you like a world without suicide?  We would.
Together we can save lives… Together, we can #StrikeOutSuicide

WATCH:  A personal video message from the Founder of Strike Out Suicide.

Accept the challenge and register now.

Erebus Motorsports #99

Kostecki/Russell and Geoff Booth Foundation raise $10,000 for Feel the Magic

Posted on | by Adam Blatch

Feel the Magic is immensely grateful to Erebus Motorsport’s Brodie Kostecki and David Russell, who, as part of a pledge by The Geoff Booth Foundation, raised $10,000 for Feel the Magic.

The Geoff Booth Foundation pledged $10,000 for the #99 to reach the Top Ten Shootout at the Bathurst 1000, where Kostecki qualified the car in ninth.

Read more about the incredible legacy left by Geoff Booth and Annie Tan, and the impressive efforts of Erebus Motorsport’s Brodie Kostecki and David Russell in this release.

News release by Erebus Motorsports, Geoff Booth Foundation and Feel the Magic

Erebus Motorsport’s Brodie Kostecki and David Russell have raised $10,000 for the team’s Official Charity Partner Feel the Magic, as part of an incentive from the Geoff Booth Foundation.

The Geoff Booth Foundation pledged $10,000 for the #99 to reach the Top Ten Shootout at last weekend’s Bathurst 1000, where Kostecki qualified the car in ninth on Friday.

“The Geoff Booth Foundation was delighted to have the opportunity to partner up with both the Erebus Motorsport Team and Feel The Magic for this fantastic initiative,” Foundation Member Rhys Kinder said.

“We saw an opportunity to not only provide an extra incentive to see the 99 car reach the Bathurst 1000 Top 10 Shootout but also support the fantastic work the Feel the Magic team do in providing grief counselling programs for kids aged 7 to 17 who are experiencing isolation due to the death of a loved one.”

The Foundation was created in 2009 and celebrates the lives of its founders Geoff Booth and Annie Tan, who both passed away due to cancer.

The couple had invested wisely, spent modestly and with no children, left their life savings to be distributed on an ongoing basis to charities in need.

“Both Geoff and Annie Tan would be proud to support such a great cause,” Kinder continued.

Feel the Magic is an Australian non-profit who provide early intervention grief education programs for children aged 7 to 17 who have experienced the loss of a parent, guardian or sibling. 

Their free camps aim to help kids manage their grief through teaching practical coping strategies to grieve in a healthy and positive way; ultimately helping reduce the mental health challenges associated with childhood grief.

“Feel the Magic is only able to provide our free camps and resources thanks to amazing and generous donors such as the Geoff Booth Foundation,” Feel the Magic CEO Adam Blatch said.

“The donation will assist kids to Camp Magic so we can help them to face, feel and heal in their grief.

“We are extremely grateful for this amazing donation.”

Erebus Motorsport is thrilled to work alongside Feel the Magic and is grateful to the Geoff Booth Foundation for their generous contributions.

Image: Erebus Motorsport, Facebook, Mount Panorama Circuit Bathurst 10 October.

Melissa Wu Feel the Magic Ambassador

Melissa Wu joins Feel the Magic as Ambassador and 1-in-20 Challenger

Posted on | by Adam Blatch

Australian Olympic and World Champion medalist Melissa Wu joins Feel the Magic as Ambassador and takes on the 1-in-20 Challenge!

Melissa has faced many challenges throughout her life and career but none as tough as losing her younger sister Kirsten. Melissa experienced bereavement after her sister died 8 years ago. Melissa said “it something that never goes away, you just learn to live it with it, and it’s made me really value the things that are important in my life. I guess I just learnt how to make every day count”.

At a Feel the Magic Family Day Camp this year Melissa said, “I am here to help kids, share my story and hopefully they take away something from my journey.”

Melissa Wu Ambassador, Feel the Magic

We are proud and privileged to welcome Melissa to our FtM community and excited that Melissa will join us to raise money for grieving kids this October in the 1-in-20 Challenge.

If you would like to donate to Melissa’s 1-in-20 team, CLICK HERE.

What is the 1-in-20 Challenge?

The Challenge is to walk or run 120km this October to help fund Camps for the 1 in 20 kids left behind after the devastating loss of their Mum or Dad.

1-in-20 Challenge helps fund free camps for bereaved children

In a media statement released 15 September 2022, Adam Blatch, CEO, Feel the Magic said, “The 1-in-20 fundraising challenge is one of the most important events for Feel the Magic because, thanks to all the participants every year, we are able to run our highly successful and life changing camps for bereaved children – all free for families who need this support.

“It is through our Camps that kids are taught practical and healthy coping strategies to help them through their grief. Since we launched Camp Magic in 2015, Feel the Magic has helped grieving kids rebuild their confidence and self-respect through connecting with other kids just like them and finding a place where they feel safe to face, feel and heal in their grief. Raising $1,500 will sponsor a grieving child to go to Camp Magic and that’s an opportunity to change a kid’s life.

Camps can be life changing for kids and parents

Kelly Drover’s son, James has attended Camp Magic and Kelly herself has been a mentor to other grieving children at previous camps. Kelly says, “Feel the Magic will change your life and make you realise you’re not alone on this journey. You are part of a family who supports you and helps you to live with your grief. The biggest thing for him [James] was to be around other kids who just get it…[At camp] he was in this safe space with other kids that, even if it was unspoken, there was just this connection”.

Taking on the Challenge during October Mental Health Awareness Month

Adam Blatch further said, “October also happens to be Mental Health Awareness Month which is a good reminder for all. Childhood bereavement can lead to a life-time of mental health challenges if not supported with programs and strategies like what we teach the kids at Camp. And we know how much exercise and fresh hair can help with mental health. I encourage people to sign up to the 1-in-20 challenge, do it for your own mental health as well as to help Feel the Magic on our journey and commitment to helping grieving children to reach their full potential without the devastating effects that childhood bereavement can have.”

2019 Tasmania SuperSprint

Scott Pye Joins Team Magic

Posted on | by Isabella Simantov

Supercars Championship Driver Scott Pye, now a proud Ambassador for Feel the Magic!

Scott Pye is an Australian professional racing driver for Walkinshaw Andretti United in the Virgin Supercars championship.

Scott knows all too well the devastation that grief and loss causes and is a classic example of how with the right support and attitude, you can overcome adversity and still pursue your dreams.

We are absolutely thrilled to have Scott join our team of Feel the Magic Ambassadors.

“Having lost my Father at nineteen I can understand the difficulties of overcoming the feeling of loss and grief whilst not having a support network that could understand what I was going through. It is an honour and privilege to be an ambassador for Feel the Magic, a program dedicated to helping overcome the challenges and changes in your life that losing a loved one will cause”.

See Scott make the announcement here,