Cool way to warm lives

By Lia Bichel
A BERWICK girl who lost her brother to suicide this year hopes to raise awareness and funds for a vital helpline this weekend.
Kim Membrey, 20, and five Cold Rock ice-cream stores have banned together to raise money for Lifeline, an organisation that works towards suicide prevention and mental wellbeing. Ms Membrey’s brother Rowan (Row) committed suicide in March and would have had his 18th birthday on 26 November.
Ms Membrey said she wanted to do something special to honour her brother and wanted to turn the day into something positive.
Having made several trips to Cold Rock together, where Row always purchased a bubblegum ice-cream, Ms Membrey enlisted the help of the local stores to help her cause.
This Saturday, stores in Berwick, Cranbourne, Mornington, Rowville and Wantirna will be holding Bubblegum Ice Cream Day and will donate $2 from every purchase to Lifeline.
Pauline Bradnam-Lee, who owns two stores and co-owns the other three with her partner Tony Carfi, said she was more than happy to help out.
“We were touched by Kim’s difficult circumstances,” Ms Bradnam-Lee said.
“I think this cause is close to a lot of people’s hearts.
“We are in a position to help, and am more than happy to raise awareness and get the message our there that there is help available and people do not have to face their dark times alone.”
Ms Membrey said her brother started using drugs and spiralled into depression before he took his own life.
She said Row contacted Lifeline during the last week of his life, but she wished he would have contacted it more while he was depressed.
Nearly 2000 people attended his funeral which is a testament to his popularity and infectious personality.
“He was one of my best friends. He was an apprentice boiler maker, dedicated to being a BMX rider, and was a great friend,” Ms Membrey said.
“He was my best friend.”
Bubblegum Ice Cream Day will run all day in the five stores and from noon until 4pm at the Berwick Cold Rock store, there will be a live band, balloons, face painting and the Casey 360 bus.
From noon until 1pm, Light FM will be doing a live broadcast.
“I hope this day will help stop another family from going through what we went though,” Ms Membrey said.
“I think Rowan would be proud.”
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 131114.