In Newcastle, there are two guaranteed ways to tackle a hard day, hit the surf and grab a sugar fix from Doughheads. This December, Doughheads is partnering with the Waves of Wellness (WOW) foundation to raise awareness for mental health.
The WOW foundation provides an eight week learn to surf program for Novocastrians experiencing mental illness. They focus on promoting physical wellbeing and social inclusion to assist participants in facing and overcoming mental health issues.
The program is a refreshing approach to tackling the stigma of mental health, treating the illness in a non-invasive way. Participants are not only educated on surfing skills but strategies to cope with personal obstacles.
Continuing their Doughnuts for Cause campaign, Doughheads will be donating $1 from every WOW doughnut sold in December to the foundation. December’s charity doughnut is packed with scrumptious flavours and looks almost too pretty to eat.
Doughheads’ WOW doughnut will also be promoting children’s book Stand Up Stand Out written by WOW founder Joel Pilgrim and illustrated by local artist Mitchell Revs. The story educates children on mental health and well-being through kaleidoscopic cartoons, engaging them in the message that “it’s okay to not be okay”.
Inspired Mitchell Revs art, the doughnut tells a story of the joy we can access in the ocean. The WOW doughnut is filled with tangy jam, lathered with whipped butter then dipped in sandy cinnamon sugar and a rainbow of 100’s and 1000’s, divided by a rolling wave of blue buttercream. It’s a subtle and delicious childhood throwback, the love child of jam sambos and fairy bread.
Novocastrians can purchase the WOW doughnut online, in-store and on UberEATS to help fund the foundation’s learn to surf program. Stand Up Stand Out can also be purchased online, with $5 from every book sale donated to the innovative charity.
Grab a WOW doughnut then hit the beach this summer to tackle the surf and mental illness.