When John and Pat's son Michael died last year, the community was "just fantastic, we had a lot of support from the people around here," says John, who adds Michael was one of eight children; he had five brothers and two sisters.
John says that support hasn't gone away, over a year on from Michael's suicide.
"We are lucky to have so many people around us, but we wanted to do something for those who don't have so much support and to help those people grappling with thoughts of suicide or self harm."
Last weekend, John and his family and friends gave 24 hours of their time to raise awareness and funds to help those affected by suicide, by doing what they do best - shearing.
A 24-hour shearathon took place in the Herlihy woolshed in Whangamomona and was well supported people from all over the country.
"It's amazing, all these people who have come today, and all the people from all around the country who have donated through the givealittle page as well," says John.
He says as well as supporting some of the organisations set up to support people, the family had also wanted to help a specific person.
"We didn't want all of the money just going into general costs with the organisations, we wanted to be sure it could go and help a specific family, so we worked with the groups and have been put in touch with one special case impacted by suicide. It is a family in Auckland where the mother has died. They have young children, one just a baby, so the father, he'll be struggling right now and we hope this will help him in some way."
With more than $5000 raised through the givealittle page, and donations coming in throughout the shearathon, John says he is confident they will beat their original target of raising $10,000.
"We've had people coming up to us and giving us money, we have raffles running and an auction too, plus the shearing itself is going at $2 a sheep, so we should easily beat our target."
For more coverage of the shearathon, see the video created by Sieska Verdonk, of the NZ Herald Local Focus team.
Where to get help:
Lifeline - 0800 543 354
Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Youthline (open 24/7) - 0800 376 633. Text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email talk@youthline.co.nz.
0800 WHATSUP (0800 9428 787), Open between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day at www.whatsup.co.nz.
Healthline - 0800 611 116
For more information about support and services available to you, contact the Mental Health Foundation's free Resource and Information Service on 09 623 4812 during office hours or email info@mentalhealth.org.nz