A MOUNT Gambier resident has formed her own charity after identifying a need to support children in at-risk situations across the Limestone Coast.
Working closely with existing charity Four Reasons Why, Christie Fuller has launched Each Step I Take.
Ms Fuller has started collecting donations for the initiative and hopes to provide 250 backpacks filled with every day necessities such as a toothbrush, toothpaste and blankets.
It follows a lengthy planning stage with Four Reasons Why committee member Trudi Shelton who helped launch the charity.
“Christie approached me to speak about beginning her own charity organisation and from there we met around once a week to develop the idea,” Ms Shelton said.
“We began by establishing her ‘why’ which is where she told me at around 20 years of age she had to leave home with nothing but the clothes on her back.
“That is where we came up with the idea of packing bags to make emergency situations a bit more comfortable for children who may need it.”
Ms Fuller said the campaign would provide children in-need with a sense of comfort when things feel like they may be falling apart.
“I am very excited to start the campaign and cannot believe it is happening,” Ms Fuller said.
“I know what it is like to be in that situation and I wanted to give back to others who may be in the same place I was.
“When I left home I had nothing so I wanted to give the kids a kind of confidence and something special.”
Donations for Ms Fuller’s campaign can be made at Mount Gambier Central with nappies, blankets and many more items accepted.
The campaign will run during September with Ms Fuller and Ms Shelton packing the backpacks and distributing them across the region in mid-October.
