![BOOK READY: Lifeline Central West executive director Alex Ferguson with a sea of books that are packed-up for this weekend's book fair at Bathurst Showground. Photo: PHIL BLATCH 051419pbbook2 BOOK READY: Lifeline Central West executive director Alex Ferguson with a sea of books that are packed-up for this weekend's book fair at Bathurst Showground. Photo: PHIL BLATCH 051419pbbook2](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/yqbYpxNMru7TBX8VR5QF63/3d462ad0-ed5d-4cac-8aa4-7cf1401c6f5f.JPG/r0_0_5760_3840_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
LONELINESS is so prevalent in society that it's the reason why more than 340,000 people will contact Lifeline this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This weekend's Lifeline Bathurst Mega Book Fair is a major fundraiser for the charity and all funds raised allow it to help those in need across the region.
"In a world that's never been more connected, loneliness is prevalent," Lifeline Central West (LCW) executive director Alex Ferguson said.
"Well over one million people will contact Lifeline for help this year ... 34 per cent of our incoming calls are predicated around loneliness.
"Loneliness can lead to mental health issues, it can lead to substance abuse - all of these things can be linked."
Lifeline crisis supporters, who volunteer at call centres in Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo, are among an army of people who answer calls and online requests for help from across Australia.
Loneliness can lead to mental health issues, it can lead to substance abuse - all of these things can be linked.
- Lifeline Central West executive director Alex Ferguson
Some of those callers are lonely or depressed, others are victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse, others are struggling with financial problems or gambling addictions, and some are suicidal.
"We get contacted by people of all ages, all occupations, it's right across the board," Mr Ferguson said.
"Services like Lifeline are invaluable in providing support."
Mr Ferguson has urged book lovers of all ages to come along to the weekend's book fair and help support LCW in the process.
"The book fair is to try and raise some money yes, but it's also to raise some awareness that these services are available through Lifeline and they're free," he said.
More than 25,000 books and DVDs will be available at the fair, with all genres covered, including: Australian authors, best-selling authors, cooking, history, art, technology and children's books.
"People know about us as part of the community and we've recently been given [book] donations from older people when they're downsizing," Mr Ferguson said.
"We've been give some rare and very unique collections and we've got some fantastic books on history and war history."
Children's books start at a couple for $1, books by known authors start at $4 and a good quality coffee table book for around $10.
The fair is on at Bathurst Showground from 8.30am-4pm on Saturday, and 10am-2pm on Sunday. Entry is by gold coin donation.