Chloe Cunningham No More Angels Lost to Bullying Interview

Chloe Cunningham No More Angels Lost to Bullying Interview

Angels Goal is launching the 'No More Angels Lost to Bullying" campaign. It is dedicated to the memory of Olivia Penpraze, who took her own life in 2012 after years of being bullied at school.

'No More Angels Lost to Bullying" aims to promote awareness of bullying against children and young adults and raise money for counselling services to help kids and families that are affected by bullying. A new website www.angels4olivia.com.au will tell the full story of Olivia's struggle with mental illness and enable supporters to connect with each other and post about their own experiences with bullying.

'We hope the new website and counselling services will help kids like Olivia reach out and realise that they're not alone," said Olivia's mother, Kellie Penpraze. 'She suffered so much because she thought no one cared about what she was going through. Hopefully no one else has to suffer like that again."

Recent research commissioned by the Federal Government shows one in four Australian students are affected by bullying. Students who are bullied are also up to three times more likely to show depressive symptoms, according to the Centre for Adolescent Health. 'The consequences of bullying can be far-reaching and long-lasting," said Sue Anderson, anti-bullying coach and author of Unbullyable.

'Even if there's no physical violence involved, the psychological scars can cause far more damage, and studies have shown that victims of bullying can suffer from a mental health issues such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression. Without the right support, these issues can and often do persist into adulthood."

Angels Goal will hold a charity auction on eBay from 7th-13th of October that will consist of items donated by ambassadors and high profile supporters such as Missy Higgins and US band Pierce the Veil. The money raised will go towards counselling services for the victims of bullying; supporters will also be able to donate money to the cause through the website.

Several celebrity ambassadors have pledged their support for 'No More Angels Lost to Bullying", including world champion boxer Jeff Fenech and TV presenter Charlotte Dawson.

'I used to be a bit of a bully when I was at school and I never gave it much thought," said Fenech. 'But now that my own daughter has been the victim of bullying at school, it's really hit home to me how harmful it is." 'Campaigns like -No More Angels Lost to Bullying' can make a real difference in helping kids understand that bullying is not OK," said Fenech.

Adults can also be the target of bullying, as Charlotte Dawson discovered last year after battling with cyber-bullies and being hospitalised. ''No More Angels Lost to Bullying' is all about teaching kids about the harmful effects bullying can have and giving them the skills and resources they need to deal with it," said Dawson. 'By reaching out to kids at an early age, we can prevent any more tragedies."

The www.angels4olivia.com.au website will go live on Friday 4th of October 2013. The celebrity charity auction on eBay will run from 7-13th October and can be found on eBay

Interview with Chloe Cunningham

Question: Can you tell us about the role you play in Angels Goal?

Chloe Cunningham: I am the current public spokesperson and co-founder. I also will be a qualified counsellor in December.

Question: What inspired you to be a founding member of Angels Goal?

Chloe Cunningham: The essential elements that inspired me are the following:
-To not let anyone go through what I had to.
- To inspire young girls to have the courage to fight back and speak up. The most important thing I want to give young girls is the confidence within themselves so that they know that they are in-fact BEAUTIFUL
- To create awareness of the damaging effects of bullying and mental illness


Question: What is the new No More Angels Lost to Bullying campaign?

Chloe Cunningham: This campaign is designed to empower survivors of bullying to reach out through counselling, our speak up page, Facebook and through our webpage.


Question: What do you hope to achieve with the new campaign?

Chloe Cunningham: Awareness worldwide that there is hope of a future, even when you are being bullied. I do believe that by surviving it myself, I can help to bring happiness and hope back to our future leaders of women.


Question: Where will the funds raised from the No More Angels Lost to Bullying campaign be used?

Chloe Cunningham: All funds will go towards an active campaign that will achieve awareness and enable us to have a counselling services/ empowerment camps, subsidised resources, maintain our speak up pages and our social media campaign.

Question: How does Angels Goal aims to prevent further tragedies?

Chloe Cunningham: Angels Goal realises that there is a shortage of organisations that give a survivors a voice worldwide and to feel included. Angels Goal wishes to empower survivors so they can fulfil their dreams and ambitions.


Question: What items have been donated for the auction?

Chloe Cunningham: Auction items include a Missy Higgins CD, songbook and signed poster. Pierce Veil drum head, CD, and poster. Rolling Stones signed guitar. This will be a continuous campaign of items that will change regularly.


Question: What advice do you have for girls who may be being bullied?

Chloe Cunningham: My advice is to talk to someone you trust, whether that is a parent, friend, etc because a huge weight will be lifted off your shoulders. For extreme bullying, seek help from a counsellor. You can also join our Angels Goal Inc Facebook page, where you will find an active of community of bullying survivors. We also have plenty of resources available on our www.angelsgoal.org.au web page.


Question: What do you hope to achieve with Angels Goal over the next twelve months?

Chloe Cunningham: Angels Goal hopes to be one of the major voices in the community that raises awareness of this issue and helps people overcome bullying. We want people to realise that there are support mechanisms in place to help, such as Angels Goal, and that there are actually laws that are in place in each state to protect them from being victimised.


Question: How can Australians get involved with the No More Angels Lost to Bullying campaign?
Chloe Cunningham: By supporting our Angels Goal Facebook page, by being proactive bystanders, and by supporting our awareness and fundraising campaigns.


For more information see: http://angelsgoal.org.au/about-angels/hear-chloes-story/

Interview by Brooke Hunter