Cottage by the Sea holds a fair for fires

POPULAR children’s charity Cottage by the Sea will use funds raised from its annual fair, held on January 11, to help bushfire-ravaged communities and families.

Chief executive officer Adam Wake said after seven months at the helm of the Queenscliff Cottage, the turnout and result of the fair was “humbling”, raising $50,000.

“It was brilliant, I didn’t have any expectations of the day as I’d never seen the fair. It was humbling the turnout and such a wonderful vibe, there was an amazing army of volunteers,” Mr Wake said.

“The vast majority of staff came in to volunteer, that’s says a lot that they want to support where they work. We had half our board of directors come down from Melbourne to volunteer and ambassadors who turned up for the day.”

Mr Wake said given the horrors of bush fires raging across the country, the Cottage will direct funds towards running programs for communities and families worst impacted.

“Now is too soon as many of towns are still burning but within nine to 12 months we will engage with these communities. We will offer camps of respite for impacted families.

“We will also work directly with the schools to get whole groups of children out here with us, for the next three years at least.”

Under the guidance of Warren Davies, The Unbreakable Farmer, Mr Wake said they will determine the best way they can help as an organisation.

“We’re in the hands of Warren. He’s one of our ambassadors, he’s worked with these impacted communities and we’ll work closely with him on how and where we go.

“It’s a mammoth task and we’re only a medium-sized organisation but we will go as far and as wide as we can.”

Conditions for the fair were perfect as a few thousand patrons arrived to partake in an assortment of entertainment, food vendors, raffles, auctions and stalls.

“The Harvey family and Harvey’s of Highton were a massive hit once again with their fresh fruit and vegetable stall. It’s a tidal wave through the gate to the fruit and veg, it’s good stuff.

“It was a brilliant day with a constant flow of people and extremely moving, all the people who gave their time because they believe in what we do.”

If you would like to make a monetary donation towards the Cottage’s appeal, head to cottagebythesea.com.au or phone 5258 1663.