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Pinched from ozbiker.org
BUACA help organise charity renovations
A crew of QLD bikers joined leading members of the community and business last
weekend to unleash a renovation rescue on child sexual assault charity,
Bravehearts’, head office
Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston said over 100 people were involved in the
transformation of the head office, which provides over 3000 counselling sessions
for sexually assaulted children every year.
“Because we have no permanent funding and are always financially struggling just
to provide the counselling for the children, improving the premises’ dilapidated
appearance has never been possible,” Ms Johnston said
When members of BUACA (Bikers United Against Child Abuse) saw the rundown
Springwood premises they decided something had to be done to make it more
welcoming and warm for the hundreds of children who attend counselling sessions
there every year.
With the help of BUACA and Bravehearts’ community fundraising coordinator, Kim
August, a renovation worth over $50,000 was organised to commence last Friday
29th July
“At the moment I have estimated that materials and labour will exceed $50,000 –
and we are still receiving calls from businesses, putting up their hands to
help,” Ms August said
“Hanson Construction has donated at least $20,000 of materials and from gold
coast caterers to TAFE graphic designers and fencers, tree loppers, landscapers
and painters – so many people have given of their time and money to make a
difference.”
The new headquarters will be called “Ditto’s House”, and will feature a massive
painting of Ditto – the charity’s lion mascot – on the front of the building to
welcome visiting children.
The renovations were carried out over the 29th, 30th and 31st of July and
culminated in the appearance of the Broncos’ Shane Webcke on the Sunday the
31st.
Mr Webcke will visit the newly-renovated headquarters to thank the myriad of
businesses and community helpers who had made the transformation possible and
donate NRL memorabilia for an auction to be held for the charity later in the
year.
Ms Johnston said news of the renovation was particularly touching, following the
state government’s recent decision to postpone permanent funding for the
charity, forcing the organisation to let go of two of their counsellors.
“To see so many people come forward with random acts of kindness such as this
shows our community’s true capacity to give unconditionally to benefit others.”
Photos from the rescue can be found over at:
http://groups.msn.com/BUACA