Local charity to hold inaugural gala

DON’T Forget My Pet Foundation is calling on the Geelong community to frock up as it prepares to hold its inaugural gala next weekend.

The Geelong-based charity’s event will be held at the Geelong Pavilion on Friday, October 3, and will feature live entertainment, food and refreshments.

Don’t Forget My Pet founder Alysha McKenzie said the event aimed to bring the community together and raise awareness for the organisation and its mission.

“What we’re hoping it will achieve is awareness — awareness of our organisation, awareness of the cause, awareness of the impacts to our community and what we have achieved.

“It is a fundraising opportunity, it’s an awareness opportunity and it’s also an opportunity to have a party and to have some fun and for like-minded people to get together.”

Part of the event’s fundraising efforts will include door prizes, thank you gifts and a live and silent auction.

The silent auction will be made up of impressive prizes including a microphone signed by Taylor Swift, an acoustic guitar signed by Ed Sheeran, a signed 2024 Geelong Cats guernsey, and a wine country adventure for two.

The Don’t Forget My Pet team provides a range of support around the region, including supplying meals to pets in need, assisting in veterinary care and safety net fostering.

The funds raised from the event will go towards the organisation’s programs and supporting the purchase of a van, which will allow it to better transport much-needed food around the community.

A van, Ms McKenzie said, would provide a safer option when moving animals and would mean she no longer has to transport food in the back of her small sedan.

“It [a van] would allow us to be able to collect more food, distribute more food, we’d be able to hit more locations.

“Our impact would be greater if we had a van and it’s also just a much safer outcome.”

For tickets and more information, head to dontforgetmypet.org.au