NEARLY $15,000 was raised at last Tuesday’s Whittlesea Community House High Tea fundraiser in an outstanding showing of community generosity.
A mixture of sales from a silent auction, raffles and entry ticket costs contributed to the total raised as attendees were treated to a range of high tea classics and a stirring speech from guest speaker and globally recognised humanitarian Moira Kelly AO.
Fundraiser coordinator for the Whittlesea Community House Glenys McDonald said the funds raised would be poured back into the local community and would provide a significant boost for the next 18 months.
“We’re going to use that money and support local businesses by giving $1000 to Gilly’s Meats, $1000 to IGA and $1000 to Whittlesea Fresh who support us,” she said.
“The rest of the money will be going into our food bank.”
The food bank run by the Whittlesea Community House currently supports 132 families each fortnight with food packs that contain necessities for those struggling.
McDonald said that the funds will be especially helpful here as they look to put together more food parcels in the future.
“We have a lot of people who are struggling and it’s not just the elderly,” she said.
“It’s young people with high mortgages, people dealing with the cost of living and trying to raise a family on one wage.
“It eases the burden a bit.”
McDonald added that although the funding is very helpful, its effectiveness relies on the generosity of the businesses and people in the community.
“I’d like to thank all the local businesses who support us all the time,” she said.
“They do get hit hard by all the clubs in Whittlesea, and it’s hard for them. But they’re always supportive, so we always try and support them back as much as we can.
“We’re always looking for volunteers, and we’re always looking for donations and sponsors.”
The event, held at the Whittlesea Bowls Club, attracted a capacity crowd of more than 100 people and was sold out back in May.
Moira Kelly’s speech made up a significant part of the event, talking to the crowd about the positives of volunteering and captivating those in the room with stories from her life.
Many in the community would know Ms Kelly from the Children First Foundation, through which she helped conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna receive a separation surgery at The Royal Children’s Hospital back in 2009.
Trishna actually assisted Kelly with her presentation on the day, and the attendees learned that she aspires to work in the disability sector.
The Whittlesea Community House donated $250 to the Moira Kelly Creating Hope Foundation as a showing of appreciation and support.
