Geelong produces record funding in Giving Day appeal

A DAY of selfless generosity and a day of giving has led to a record amount of donations for Geelong Mums during its biggest fundraiser of the year.

More than $300,000 was raised last Thursday during the annual Giving Day appeal hosted by local charity Geelong Mums, set to benefit countless families across Victoria.

“We always get a little bit nervous about the day, but every year the community is so amazingly generous,” Geelong Mums partnership and events coordinator Kelly Suvoltos said.

“The funding we received makes sure we can continue to open our doors and we’re extremely grateful for that.”

Geelong Mums’ contributions for the day made up almost a third of the Giving Day contribution across all three statewide charity branches.

Combined with St Kilda Mums and Ballarat-based Eureka Mums, the parent charity was able to raise over $1 million according to a media announcement on Friday.

This year’s effort comes off the back of $92,895 raised by the Greater Geelong community in 2021 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Giving Day appeal is our tax-time fundraiser, and it makes up a third of our overall budget throughout the year,” Ms Sulvotos said.

“Whenever our donations tally clocks over a $10,000 mark, we ring our cowbell and it’s just terrific to watch.”

Geelong Mums was lucky enough to have members from Fernwood Waurn Ponds helping with product donations on the day, filling up 10 trolleys worth of goods and providing a massive assistance to Giving Day volunteers.

Ms Suvoltos said financial donations to the Giving Day appeal have been trickling in since the end of May and there is still time to add to the initiative’s total, standing at $302,400 as of Tuesday, June 14.

Last-minute donations will be tripled thanks to sponsors and can be done before July 1 at mycause.com.au/events/givesharecare-geelong.