Lifeline Bookfest Chases Record Result to Fund Crisis Line

Tens of thousands of book lovers are set to swarm into the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre to pick up a bargain as Lifeline Bookfest kicks off this weekend.

Lifeline Retail Operations Manager, Roy Frith said the iconic event, which is in its 22nd year, was Lifeline’s largest fundraiser in Queensland, with every dollar raised going towards Lifeline’s 24-hour Crisis Support Line.

“With more than 170,000 contacts made to Lifeline in the last financial year in Queensland, it is more important than ever that Lifeline continues to raise funds to support those in need,” said Mr Frith.

“We are hoping to beat our record of raising $1.4 million set at the January Bookfest in 2018, because it will pay for more than 50,000 additional calls to our crisis line.”

Mr Frith said that as always, savvy book lovers could expect to find a huge variety of books at bargain prices.

“Whether you are interested in collector’s items, cook books, paperbacks, mysteries, biographies, history or magazines, there is literally tonnes of variety.”

Lifeline is strongly encouraging shoppers to think ahead and bring their own bags this year to reduce waste.

“Plastic bags will no longer be used to wrap the books at Bookfest,” Mr Frith said.

‘There will be Lifeline bags for sale for $1, but bringing your own bag makes a huge difference to us and to the environment.”

Lifeline Brisbane Bookfest runs from Saturday 19 January until Monday 28 January, with an “up late” night where book lovers can shop until 9pm on Friday 25 January.