This ‘Board of Hope’ was designed by Danny and Jacqueline Flaus to remember their son Brady. The East Maitland couple lost their 14-year-old son Brady to suicide in 2018.

The surfboard was made and donated by Jamie Carr from JCD Surfboards at Wickham and is coated and usable in the ocean. See a full picture of the board below!

The design has a special connection to the Flaus's, including family, indigenous culture and dolphins, that have a special connection to the Worimi people. Benny created all of the artwork.

The design includes:

• The footprints on the dolphin are their journey.

• Danny and Brady are together at a campfire.

• The turtle has Danny, Jacqui, Rory and Brady under the stars.

• The stars are their ancestors watching over them.

• The Manta Ray has Jacqui, Rory and Brady all together.

• The lines behind the animals are the family's storylines linking them to the ocean and beyond.

On the other side of the board are the words “It ain’t weak to speak”. The phrase was something a member of the East Maitland Griffins Rugby League Club that Brady played for had said when discussing Brady’s passing.

Danny and Jacqueline Flaus are big supporters of Lifeline, and their family and friends will again participate in the World Suicide Prevention Day Walk.

This year Mr Flaus has arranged for a surfboard to be created in Brady’s honour that will be raffled to raise funds for Lifeline Hunter’s suicide prevention services.

“We are Worimi people, and Brady loved the water, so we have used images of a turtle, dolphin and manta ray,” Mr Flaus said.

“We are itching to walk again to remember Brady and connect with and support others who have lost someone to suicide,” he said.

“We want to remind people who may be struggling that they are not alone – there are people to listen, to have a yarn with.”

“I hope the person who wins the surfboard takes it into the water, taking Brady with them into a place he loved.”

Tickets are on sale now and will be drawn on Thursday, 6 October 2022, at 9.00am.