Charlotte Varcoe
A MAMMOTH inaugural fundraiser will be held this year to help students in need across the Limestone Coast.
Four Reasons Why will host its first fundraising luncheon in an effort to raise between $20,000 and $30,000.
The charity organisation is known within the region for its continued support for students and families in need by providing drink bottles, school and sporting equipment, winter clothing and footwear.
It also provides the Sports Membership Assistance Program which provides opportunities to local youth to participate in sport and belong to a local sporting club, essential items for those in need such as hygiene items and other targeted campaigns.
Four Reasons Why founder Trudi Shelton said the luncheon would be the first large fundraiser for the charity.
“We are aiming to raise a substantial amount of funds as we are noticing demand is increasing as people feel the pressure of the cost of living more than ever before,” Ms Shelton said.
“As a private charity which relies solely on donations to support our community, we are looking at doing something different this year.”
She said those in attendance would be able to participate in auctions and other opportunities to win a variety of prizes.
“100 per cent of the money raised will go back into the community in the Limestone Coast because we are not just in Mount Gambier anymore, we have started tapping into Keith and Bordertown to help pay for things like school camps,” Ms Shelton said.
“We are also running community hubs with a small FoodBank resource and free items with a lot of people coming through who are struggling.”
Ms Shelton said a lot more people were struggling now more than ever following interest rates, rent and the cost of living increasing.
“The cost of groceries in South Australia is phenomenal,” she said.
“There are people who are not paying for school camps because they cannot afford it so that is where we will come in because if we have the money there, we will fund their children’s camps.
“We do not want them missing out and we will also help pay for sport too because we do not want them missing out on that either.”
She said if families were struggling with money, sport and school camps were often the “first to go”.
“We also provide goods for victims of domestic violence and we have also noticed an increase there as well which means more women are in emergency care,” Ms Shelton said.
“The families needing help are right across the board and we are seeing more middle-class families feeling the pinch.
“A lot of people are doing it tough and they are trying and getting nowhere and those parents still need support.”
It will be held at The Commodore on May 17 with tickets costing $100 each which will be available for purchase soon.
