Team effort helps share the dignity

TORQUAY’S Bendigo Bank has teamed up with neighbouring businesses and community organisations to raise money for homeless women’s charity Share The Dignity.

Last week, the bank organised a fundraising barbecue outside their Gilbert Street office, with the Torquay Lions Club bringing their mobile barbecue, Surf Coast Quality Meats providing the sausages (some for free and some at low cost) and Ryans IGA Supermarket supplying the bread, onions, sauce and drinks.

The April 18 event raised $350.15, which bank branch manager Shane Downing said was then used to buy two boxes’ worth of female sanitary items at Ryans IGA Supermarket, which will now be donated to Share The Dignity.

The charity collects thousands of pads, tampons and personal hygiene products every year for women experiencing homelessness and poverty.

Mr Downing said his branch had supported Share The Dignity for a couple of years, and now has a Share The Dignity collection box on display so customers can add their items.

“Last year, we had a trolley from IGA and put it in the branch and started filling it up, but we thought ‘why not try to raise a little bit more?’. So we were rapt with what we raised.”

For more information on Share The Dignity, head to sharethedignity.com.au.