Give it up for the vulnerable

FOR the first year, Berry Street have launched an online fundraising campaign, known is Ban it for Berry Street, to get the community involved in the organisation’s work to support vulnerable children.

Ballarat Berry Street director Andrew Lowth said the organisation devised the initiative where people identify a luxury to give up for the month of October to raise funds and awareness.

“Anyone can participate, you don’t need to be a Berry Street staff member, you just need to jump online and register,” he said.

“Examples of what people are giving up include things like coffee, sugar, chocolate, in my case it’s sugar which is quite a big thing, social media, online shopping.

“It’s a way to think about raising money for the vulnerable people in our community.”

While it’s still early in the campaign, Mr Lowth said the organisation have already seen widespread uptake in both involvement and donations.

“So far, we’ve got 180 people signed up and we have $11,000 raised so far and we’re hoping to raise much more than that,” he said

“We’re trying to encourage as many people to come on board as much as possible, hopefully it will be a significant amount of money.

“We’re hoping that more people in Ballarat specifically will sign up.”

At the core of Berry Street’s operations is the commitment to providing support and opportunities for vulnerable children, families and members of the wider community.

Specifically, Mr Lowth said the organisation runs family violence programs as well as educational and emotional support initiatives.

“We support mothers and children and we have refuges in Ballarat where we support them to leave violent situations,” he said.

“We provide educational opportunities and emotional support for kids in refuge and have counselling services for children who have experienced family violence.

“Our small school in Sebastopol that we run is for kids who probably otherwise wouldn’t be going to school because they have been excluded or are struggling in a mainstream school.”

Due to the nature of the pandemic and other issues within our community, this year Berry Street noticed an increase in demand for their services, particularly in Ballarat.

In response to this surge, Mr Lowth said fundraising was an essential way for the wider community to assist Berry Street to meet this need.

“This campaign is about giving up something that you love to help a vulnerable child and providing a safe place and a brighter future.”

“It’s a really rewarding way for workplaces, families and individuals to make a difference in the lives of children impacted by abuse, trauma and neglect.

“Community can be better if we support each other, every single one of us has a role to play in supporting and looking after the most vulnerable in our community.”

To sign up for the initiative or donate, visit banitforberrystreet.org.au.