[ad_1]
A sinister blue light has baffled residents on Auckland’s north Hibiscus shoreline.
Conspiracy theories have abounded around the bright laser-like light source, which has been visible in the night sky for the past four weeks.
Residents of the Hibiscus Coast Facebook group have submitted numerous suggestions where the light may come from, including 5G, aliens, the dynamic lane of Whangaparāoa Rd, or a “helicopter looking for Penlink.”
But the real intention behind the light is to support the children’s mental health charity I Am Hope.
READ MORE:
* The conversation about suicide must change as the numbers rise, says mental health advocate Mike King
* I have survived suicide, depression and anxiety, but I have hope.
* Facebook Photo Frame to Fund Free Counseling Raises Over $ 20,000
Those determined enough to follow the light to the source will be herded to the BlueFit gym, which is currently under construction on Centreway Rd in Ōrewa.
At the base of the light is a QR code, which links to information about I Am Hope.
Steve Papps / Stuff
The blue light is part of a suicide awareness campaign conducted by a new gym on Centreway Rd in Ōrewa.
Co-owner Steve Papps said he and his business partner Ben Challis wanted to support I Am Hope with a community outreach program, which in turn would be used as a training exercise for staff members in the weeks leading up to the scheduled opening of the gym on December 7. .
For the past three weeks, eight full-time staff members have been going door to door to see the locals of Ōrewa and tell them about I Am Hope and the reason behind the blue light.
Papps said knocking on the door was mutually beneficial as it prepared the new team of staff for customer-facing roles.
“We don’t just give our money, we give our time.
“We want to make sure we have the right character of the people.”
When asked why the gym decided to support I Am Hope, Papps said that “suicide is great,” adding that it was something that affected many.
Matthew Sim / Supplied
Aliens? 5G? The police helicopter Eagle? Many theories were put forward as the cause of a blue light on Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast.
In the year to June 2020, 654 people died by suicide, a drop of 31 deaths from the total of 685 in 2019, which was the highest number since records began.
The suicide rate in New Zealand is 13.01 deaths per 100,000 people.
Papps was surprised to learn that New Zealand’s suicide rates were so high.
However, not all the locals are on board with the light. On Tuesday night, someone climbed over a fence and unplugged it, Papps said.
Stanmore Bay resident Jude Fippard, who commutes to work in Northcross via East Coast Rd, said the lights were “quite distracting” while driving at night in total darkness.
“Suddenly you see these lights are crossing the sky.”
Caroline Williams / Stuff
BlueFit gym owners Steve Papps and Ben Challis wanted to “do business with a conscience.”
While he thought it was “fantastic” BlueFit was raising awareness for I Am Hope, he thought there were other ways to do it.
“I think what they are doing is worth it, but I don’t think light is necessary.
“There have been a lot of posts asking what blue lights are, but they aren’t really raising the discussion about suicide prevention.”
Matthew Sim took a photo of the lights at his home in Millwater. He joked that the lights looked like “someone calling Batman”.
He said he didn’t have a problem with the lights as long as they weren’t lighting up his house.
“It’s for a good cause, but it created a bit of confusion for some when no one knows why that light is shining all over the place.”
Papps said the light was never intended to be a nuisance and that the Civil Aviation Authority had given them the go-ahead.
The light is set to move to certain degrees so it doesn’t shine on people’s homes and only works between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., he said.
Papps said the light was not a permanent fixture of the gym and would only work for another two weeks.
Auckland City Council said it received a complaint about the bright blue light coming from the Blue Fit gym.
Compliance and Investigations Response Manager Kerri Fergusson said: “We have spoken with the gym, who have assured us that the light will be turned off at 10 pm every night, per Public Nuisance and Safety ordinance.”
Where to get help
1737, do you need to talk? Call or text 1737 toll free anytime for support from a trained counselor
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222999 in Auckland
Youthline – 0800 376 633, toll free 234 or email [email protected] or online chat
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 SUPPORT)
What’s Up – 0800 942 8787 (for children from 5 to 18 years old). Telephone counseling is available Monday through Friday, noon to 11 p.m. M. And on weekends, from 3 pm. M. At 11 p. M. Online chat is available from 7 pm to 10 pm every day.
Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for young people up to 18 years of age. Open 24/7.
thelowdown.co.nz – or send an email to [email protected] or send a free text message to 5626
Anxiety New Zealand – 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)
Rural Support Trust – 0800787254 (0800 RURAL AID)
Supporting families with mental illness – 0800732825
