AN alternative fundraising idea is stitching together some assistance for people in Timor-Leste.<\/p>\n
Therese O\u2019Loughlin is offering cheap sewing repairs at St Patrick\u2019s Hall on the first three Thursdays of each month to raise funds for the Ballarat Friends of Ainaro Health Group.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the last few years, fundraisers have become more challenging, and we haven\u2019t had a successful one this year,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople don\u2019t tend to sew so much anymore, but I\u2019m retired now, and I can sew. I thought I would start a little sewing repairs initiative and raise some money for Timor.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s also an earth care side to it, limiting the amount of clothing people throw away, and the wastage.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt St Patrick\u2019s Hall, they were really supportive, and offered me the use of a room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms O\u2019Loughlin can fix basic things like buttons, seams, hems, and holes, and in recent weeks, she\u2019s been able to repair a zip, patch jeans, and mend work shirts.<\/p>\n
She has also attracted a little team of volunteers who have been happy to help the cause.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been to Timor-Leste a couple of times,\u201d Ms O\u2019Loughlin said. \u201cThey\u2019re a developing country in need of help and resources.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re such lovely people over there who really appreciate what you do. A little bit of money in Timor-Leste goes a mighty long way.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ballarat Friends of Ainaro Health Group is a sub-organisation of a friendship agreement signed in 2003.<\/p>\n
The group funds and provides essential supplies and technologies for hospitals, clinics, and maternal child health professionals, and helps give scholarships to young Timorese people wanting to study a health science.<\/p>\n
Visit the Therese\u2019s Sewing Repairs Facebook page for updates on when the pop-up is open, and to contact Ms O\u2019Loughlin.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AN alternative fundraising idea is stitching together some assistance for people in Timor-Leste. Therese O\u2019Loughlin is offering cheap sewing repairs at St Patrick\u2019s Hall on the first three Thursdays of each month to raise funds for the Ballarat Friends of Ainaro Health Group. \u201cIn the last few years, fundraisers have become more challenging, and we […]<\/p>\n