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The Koru S.O.S. Trust is hosting its official launch event, Jack’s Table – A Night to Save Lives, later this month.
Speaking on behalf of the Koru S.O.S. Trust, Lisa Hawkeswood said members of the community have donated two free tickets (worth $35 each) to ensure that individuals who
may not otherwise be able to attend — particularly those supporting loved ones through mental health or addiction challenges — can still be part of this meaningful evening.
Hawkeswood founded Koru S.O.S. Trust, a community-led kaupapa based in Tuakau, committed to suicide prevention, mental health recovery, transitional housing, and whānau healing.
“Our mahi is grounded in lived experience — including the tragic loss of my own son, Jack — and driven by a deep desire to ensure no more lives are lost to service failure, disconnection, or silence.”
Jack Hawkeswood died aged 24 in December 2023 “after falling through the cracks of our broken mental health system,” she said.
The launch event will be held on Saturday, November 15, from 5pm to midnight at the Tuakau Cosmopolitan Club.
The event includes a heartfelt introduction to the kaupapa of Koru S.O.S. Trust, a three-course dinner, along with cultural performances and live music by Magic and special guests.
There will be a dedicated networking table where local organisations can connect, share resources, and collaborate on community wellbeing.
Hawkeswood said there will also be raffles and giveaways, with all proceeds funding vital initiatives like printing free mental health and alcohol and other drug services (AOD) resource booklets, subsidising urgent psychologist sessions, and supporting a peer support hub and future residential care.
“We’d love to see these tickets go to someone in the Franklin community who is walking alongside whanau in crisis, advocating for better support, or simply needs connection and hope.”
Interested individuals can contact organisers directly at korus.o.s.trust@gmail.com to express their interest. Tickets are also available on Eventfinda.co.nz.
