The Single Fin Mingle surfing event in Sumner over the weekend honoured a special past contributor who died last year after a battle with mental illness.
Event organiser, Ambrose McNeill’s brother Abraham McNeill, who was from Sumner, died in November aged 38.
Abraham was a talented jazz musician who played at a number of Single Fin Mingle’s since the event began in 2015.
Ambrose used this year’s event to spread awareness of mental health and the need for alternative treatments by handing out “Abrahands” stickers with hands reaching out to each other on them for a small donation.
It has not been decided exactly where the money raised will be donated but Ambrose said it will go towards an alternative mental health therapy.
Said Ambrose: “One thing Abe was pretty passionate about was that there needs to be an alternative to treating mental health than there is at this point in time.
“For me personally, and for my family, the event was pretty important and it will be every year for our healing and grieving of my brother.
“Abe was involved with the event and would play music at the Single Fin Mingle and he was definitely still a part of the fabric this year and we felt his presence throughout and we had it pretty beautiful. I think he turned on the weather for us, that’s for sure,” he said
Ambrose said Abraham was a “gorgeous, kind-hearted, loving man.”
“[He was] an extremely gifted musician, talented musician. He played jazz guitar and would play at the Single Fin Mingle on our opening night and prizegiving most years.
“He wasn’t so much a surfer himself like me but he’d grown up by the beach here in Sumner and everyone that knew him met a special human,” said Ambrose.
This year’s Single Fin Mingle event itself included longboard surfing competitions, live music, surfing movies, and an art exhibition.
Visit the Abrahands For Abe website and donate to the cause at www.abrahandsfromabe.com.
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
OR IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE:
• 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
• https://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline
• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757 or TEXT 4202
