Tickets are now on sale for the 2020 Redland City Mayoral Prayer Breakfast on October 16, with the need for community support never greater.
Now in its 18th year, the annual breakfast raises funds for chaplaincy programs in Redlands state schools, supporting more than 14,500 students who use the service each year.
Mayor Karen Williams said that while the event usually attracted more than 280 people, tickets this year had to be limited due to COVID-19 restrictions.
"Keeping everyone safe during these times is vital so tables have been restricted to comply with social distancing requirements," Cr Williams said.
"Meanwhile, this fundraising event has taken on even more significance due to the impact of COVID-19, both in terms of the need for chaplaincy out there in our school communities and the fact the widespread financial pressures caused by the pandemic have led to a significant drop in income for our chaplaincy services.
"We need as much support as possible so council is also looking at other avenues you can help our chaplains on the morning, so keep an eye on council's website for updates. But if you want tickets, you will need to get in quick."
This year's guest speaker will be founder and Red Frogs Australia chaplaincy network chief executive Andy Gourley, who is also chaplain for the Queensland Reds and Brisbane Bullets teams.
"This chaplaincy network has been looking after young people at Schoolies and festivals, along with universities students, for 23 years now, providing guardian angels for so many young people and no doubt reassurance for their parents," Cr Williams said.
"Andy - or 'Boss Frog' as he has become known - is an inspirational leader and speaker. An accountant by day and skateboarding youth worker at night, he saw a need for young people to be safeguarded and did something about it.
"Andy's Red Frog movement now extends internationally and involves 4000 volunteers around Australia to support festivals, sports and skateboarding events."
Cr Williams said funds raised gave much-needed support to school chaplains.
"Anxieties have been heightened for many in this year of COVID-19, including our young people, which makes programs such as school chaplaincy even more significant as they provide important social, emotional and spiritual support for Redlands Coast students, staff and families through mentoring, role modelling and pastoral care," she said.
"There are currently 20 state school chaplains working across Redlands Coast but some local State schools do not have access to chaplaincy services. My hope is that through events such as the Mayoral Prayer Breakfast, all our state school students can have equal access to these important programs."
Sponsorship opportunities were also available and could be found at redland.qld.gov.au/mpb
