Ten times a day police and paramedics are called on by Lifeline to help people who are moments away from ending their own lives.
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That confronting fact formed part of a speech delivered by the organisation's chairman John Brogden at Rhino Lodge in Dubbo on Friday.
Mr Brogden joined radio star Alan Jones, musician Phil Stack and almost 180 local Lifeline supporters for the winter wonderland fundraising dinner.
The fundraiser was held for Lifeline so the charity can purchase a building of its own and reduce renting costs in Dubbo.
"It is a disgrace that we're raising money for such an important cause - to buy a building that houses people who are dedicated to keeping people alive," Mr Jones told attendees.
"Has this rich country come to this point? What are our priorities?," he asked.
Story continues after Alan Jones' full speech
Mr Brogden said he wanted to be chairman of an organisation that could be closed down one day.
"Wouldn't it be great if we didn't need Lifeline," he said.
"We take almost 900,000 telephone calls a year, many of which are taken right here in Dubbo and across the central west from Australians in crisis and at high risk of suicide.
"About 10 times a day we alert the police and ambulance and we have them sent to where that person is to intervene and stop that person's suicide and save that person's life."
Mr Brogden said he wanted Lifeline's message to be one of hope.
"No matter how bad things are, no matter how dark it is and no matter how alone you feel Lifeline is always there for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"We don't judge, we don't care what you've done... we just wanna help you get through that terribly difficult point of your life where for you suicide is in your mind, the right thing to do to deal with your problem."
Mr Brogden, Mr Jones and Mr Stack were in Dubbo because of the work businessman Mathew Dickerson and 10 other members of an organising committee did to bring the fundraising event to life.
The committee only met for the first time on May 9 after Mr Dickerson and former state Member for Dubbo John Mason caught up with Lifeline Central West's Alex Ferguson to discuss the idea of organising a fundraiser for the charity.
"The first ticket we sold was on May 28," Mr Dickerson said as he praised the work of the committee.
"They're not doing it to get a pat on the back or for someone to say 'well done, you're a hero'," he said.
"They're doing it because they think there's a need there."
Mr Dickerson said more than $20,000 would be raised and he thanked Dubbo businesses and residents for supporting the event.
