Record-Breaking Sausage Sizzle Raises $50,000 for Mental Health
What started as a bold community challenge has become a remarkable success story for Lions in Western Australia.
From 26 February to 2 March 2026, volunteers fired up the barbecue at Bunnings Joondalup and kept it sizzling for an incredible 102 continuous hours in what became the longest sausage sizzle ever held in Australia.
By the time the final sausage came off the grill, Lions and community supporters had cooked 8,200 sausages and raised an incredible $50,000 to support the Lions Beacon of Light Project.
The event also marked the official public launch of the van, which will deliver mental health support and suicide prevention outreach across Western Australia.
A powerful community effort
The marathon fundraiser was masterminded by long-time Lion Ray Zinner, with volunteers working around the clock to keep the barbecue going day and night.
Originally aiming to raise $20,000, the community far exceeded expectations, helping secure vital funding to support the van’s:
- Ongoing operations and fuel
- Secure storage
- Website development
- Volunteer recruitment and training
- Community outreach across Western Australia
The official opening of the event was conducted by WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch, recognising the importance of community-led mental health support.
Turning lived experience into lifesaving action
The Beacon of Light initiative was established by the Lions Club of Whitford’s Derek Best and Troy Coward, who both bring deeply personal lived experience to the mission.
Derek lost three close friends to suicide within a short period, while Troy’s father tragically took his own life when Troy was just 15 years old.
“What began as personal pain has become a purpose,” Derek said.
“We don’t want anyone else to feel as alone as our families and friends did. If a short conversation can save a life, then every kilometre that van drives is worth it.”
The project has now been formally adopted by Lions District 201WA for a three-year term.
A simple goal: save lives
The Lions Beacon of Light program places trained volunteers directly into communities, offering compassionate conversation and helping connect people to professional support services.
“Our goal is simple,” Troy said.
“To reduce the number of people taking their own lives. We meet people where they are, before crisis becomes tragedy.”
Thanks to the extraordinary effort of Lions volunteers and the generosity of the community, the Lions Beacon of Light Mind Health Van is now ready to begin its journey across Western Australia, delivering support, connection and hope where it is needed most.
And it all started with a barbecue that refused to go cold.
