FROM life as a single mum struggling to get by to an inspirational woman who is changing the lives of those around her, Mount Gambier resident Trudi Shelton said there are four reasons why she has continued to push through.
Creating her own charity, forming a board and running a total of five campaigns throughout the year to help those in need, Ms Shelton’s motivation and determination stem from her four children – her four reasons
why.
“That is why I have changed the name of the charity I formed from Mount Gambier Community of Helping Hands to Four Reasons Why.”
Fighting her way back through many challenges after becoming a single mother, Ms Shelton decided two years ago it was her time to give back to those who helped her the most by beginning a winter wear campaign.
Since then the charity has continued to grow, branching out to include a range of campaigns and more recently registering as an incorporated association and receiving public benevolent institution status.
Now ready to take Four Reasons Why to the next level, Ms Shelton said she will need some support from the community.
“We will be able to start applying for grants and will hopefully receive funding for things we want to achieve and visions to help the community,” she said.
“However, unfortunately I do not have a storage facility which has brought things to a bit of a halt with donations currently based at my house and my parents’ home.”
Determined to keep the charity running, Ms Shelton said it would be much more efficient to have a separate premises to store supplies.
“We are hoping somebody might be in a position to lend us a vacant premises temporarily,” she said.
“We do not want a free ride the whole way through and are working really hard to apply for grants and funding to pay our own rent.”
With a board of dedicated community members by her side, Ms Shelton has already begun the first of the five campaigns which will run throughout the year.
Quench and Play – the first of the five – will focus on drink bottles and sports balls for children, the Winter Wear Campaign on clothing and footwear for children, the Foodbank Staples Drive on donations for the local branch, the Essentials Campaign on hygiene products for women and girls and a Foodbank vouchers campaign to finish the year.
However, this is just the beginning of the plans for the charity with Ms Shelton and her team hoping to tackle other gaps noticed in the community.
“We have huge visions,” she said.
“I would love to target mental illness in children aged five to 12 – I think there is a real gap in the mental health sector and services do not cover that age group.
“My aim will provide free services to those children.”
Also setting up a webpage for people to stay up-to-date with campaigns, Ms Shelton securing a new facility was the first of their challenges to overcome.
“Once we have a place to store everything together things will start happening quickly,” she said.
“This is just the beginning.”
Visit Four Reasons Why on Facebook for more information.
