Word-of-mouth spurs rapid growth of Bannockburn Facebook charity group

A BANNOCKBURN Facebook group that distributes handmade items to charities throughout Victoria is enjoying fast-growing popularity on the social networking platform.

Create and Share Victoria was established about 18 months ago by its coordinator, Lynne Sullivan, who had volunteered for a similar group in Queensland.

That group was active in several states but its founder got overwhelmed by demand and scaled it back to her state only.

“Originally she had several states and she wanted a coordinator, and I volunteered,” Ms Sullivan said.

“It all got too much for her…so I opened a new (Facebook) page and invited everybody to come across.

“Some stayed with her and still send all their stuff to Queensland; the others just keep it within Victoria.”

Create and Share Victoria has grown primarily by word of mouth, and now has almost 590 members spread throughout the state.

“The ones I’ve got are mainly around Ballarat, and there are also a lot over in the eastern suburbs (of Melbourne),” Ms Sullivan said.

Members who have made items, or bought them as a retail bargain, message Ms Sullivan who arranges to receive the goods and distribute them.

“I sort it out and then send it to whichever charity needs it,” she said.

“We have a couple of drop-off points around Victoria, but we mainly focus on this area around Bannockburn, Ballarat and Geelong, and the eastern suburbs,” Ms Sullivan said.

“People can send directly to the charities or they can send it to me and I’ll pass it on. I get given all sorts of odd things that I just pass on wherever.

“Basically, we support whoever needs it – there was a refugee family in Geelong the other day we gave quilts to.”

Ms Sullivan said members had also recently made tote bags and scrunchies for participants in a camp for disadvantaged girls. The group also makes things such as library bags and pencil cases, clothing, and drainage bags and cushions for mastectomy patients.

Other charity causes include NICU Cheer for premature babies, foster care organisation Hope in a Suitcase, Big Group Hug, and Backpacks 4 Vic Kids.

The group also accepts donations of fabric, wool and other sewing material in an attempt to keep it from going to landfill.

“And then we just have people who have stuff they can’t get rid of; they’ve tried everywhere and then they hear of us and we take it,” Ms Sullivan said.

“Everything that’s donated will be used for charity. We don’t on-sell anything; anything that can be used, we use,” she said.

“If you need it we’ll try and support you to get it.

“We have sewing days, which are a great way to get together for fun, to meet new people and create items for charity.

“We are always looking for new members.”

Annyone interested in getting involved can make contact through the Facebook page or by emailing Ms Sullivan on [email protected].