After premiering on the reality television show Bride and Prejudice, ex-Mount Isa couple Melissa and Aalden Pennington have started the ‘I do’ campaign, to raise awareness and funds for mental health.
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The Penningtons had been together six year’s before entering on the show and their relationship had witnessed many highs and lows.
The couple entered on the show to help resolve family feud’s around Aalden’s gambling and previous cheating, that Melissa’s family disapproved of.
The family resolved issues and Melissa and Aalden were married in the season two finale of Bride and Prejudice.
Since leaving the Bride and Prejudice show, the Pennington’s and other couples have decided to donate their wedding outfits to charity after experiencing depression, anxiety and bulling in relationships on the show.
“We are selling tickets to go into the draw to win our wedding dresses, page boy and page girl outfits,” Mrs Pennington said.
“The money we raise from this raffle will be donated to Be Kind Townsville who raises funds and awareness for mental health across North Queensland.”
Melissa Pennington said they had teamed up with Jess and Seyat to donate money to Be Kind Townsville, where both couples now reside.
“Before entering on the show we had experienced the grief of a Mount Isa friend’s death from suicide. This impacted greatly on our mental health,” she said.
“With Aalden’s gambling and cheating that was mentioned on the show it was a result of depression, and I suffer from anxiety myself.”
Other couples on the show including Jess and Seyat had also witnessed bullying which was aired on television.
Jess’s mother-in-law was very harsh with her thoughts of Jess and Seyat’s relationship, causing strain on her mental health.
”Jess experienced some very untrue allegations from her mother-in-law and was also being bullied on social media when the show went to air,” Mrs Pennington said.
“Jess went through massive, massive anxiety and didn’t cope to well even taking herself off Facebook.
“We just wanted to provide support to other people suffering from mental health and help break down the stigma surrounding it.”
To buy tickets in the raffle, head over to the Be Kind Townsville Facebook page. And visit the ‘Melissa & Aalden’ Facebook page for all the latest updates
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
