Haymes Paint Shop and not-for-profit mental health support service, TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter) TIACS are partnering once again to encourage conversation around and raise funds and awareness for mental health support services for Australian tradies.
In its second year, T-shirt Thursday has returned for the month of October across 60 Haymes Paint Shops around Australia. T-shirts cost $5 each with all profits going directly to TIACS to help fund additional phone counsellors. The campaign aims to engage with painters, tradies, truckies, rural and blue-collar workers, to raise awareness about TIACS.
“We’re delighted to bring back T-shirt Thursday,” Haymes Paint Shop general manager, David McCormack said.
“The support we received when T-shirt Thursday launched last year was overwhelming. While it was great to receive such a strong reception, there is clearly a need to continue encouraging conversations around mental health among tradies. We are proud to help shine a light on the important services TIACS provides to the tradie community.”
TIACS co-founder Ed Ross said, “The support from Haymes Paint Shops has helped us assist so many people. We can’t thank them enough for partnering with us again this year.”
TIACS co-founder, Dan Allen added, “The profits from the sale of the T-shirts goes directly to help fund counselling support. We’d love everyone to buy an awesome T-shirt and help us continue supporting tradies and their loved ones.”
Both former tradies themselves, Ross and Allen put down the tools to start TradeMutt and TIACS after a friend tragically and unexpectedly took his own life in 2015.
The T-shirts have been produced by Lifestyle Brands in Melbourne, with manager Cameron Wallace saying, “I have been touched firsthand by the struggle and sadness that mental health issues bring, so it is wonderful to be part of such an important initiative.”
Help raise funds and awareness by visiting Haymes Paint Shop on any Thursday throughout October to purchase a T-Shirt, or make a donation to support TIACS in-store.
Feature image: Adrian Paff (Haymes Paint Shop), Dan Allen (TIACS), Ed Ross (TIACS) and Paul Dwyer (Haymes Paint Shop).