Is it just me or does everyone think charity shouldn’t hurt?

Is it just me or does everyone think charity shouldn’t hurt?

Today we launch Mix FM’s Give Me Five for Kids for the 20th time on the Sunshine Coast.
Last year we outdid ourselves, raising $606 thousand, taking our overall tally to $5 million. An extraordinary effort by the Sunshine Coast.
I am not sure about this year. Lots of people are telling us there isn’t as much money around and we need to prepare ourselves for a more modest result.

We are completely fine with that. Give Me Five for Kids is not a sales target, it’s just a campaign that we love. We can’t fail.
Having said that, we do have a small problem.

One of our biggest events on the calendar is the Diamond Lunch. In it’s 18th year, the Diamond Lunch is one of my favourite days of the year. We pack out the Maroochy Surf Life Saving Club, drink champagne and somebody walks away with a one carat diamond before the whole room dances until the sun goes down.

My problem is, we need a sponsor. I’ll get down to tin tacks. McLean and Co Jewellers in Kawana Shopping World have supplied the diamond for less than half price, we need a $7 thousand sponsor to cover the shortfall and set up costs.
In exchange your business will receive naming rights for all radio, print and social media promotion. You will receive tickets to the lunch where you can place table talkers and signage.

But most of all, you’ll know you have made a difference in the lives of sick kids and their families.
Like the family I met this week that has been in hospital 17 times since December with their youngest son who has a rare immune condition.
Or little Isabella who has been in the children’s ward three times this week for 5 hour immunoglobulin infusions, tackling a rare metabolic disorder no one really understands.

These kids are deeply loved by parents doing their best to navigate their child’s treatment and make adjustments the whole family must live with.
Most of us are lucky enough to never go through that.
The best thing we can do is give generously.

I know for a fact that when a parent lies on a comfy bed beside their child instead of sitting up all night in a plastic chair, when they read the sign that says the TV above the bed has been provided free of charge by GM54K, or when a piece of life-saving equipment prevents a trip to Brisbane, they feel – just for a moment – that the rest of us are with them, that their family matters to the Sunshine Coast.
And if you ask me, that’s money well spent.

If you would like to sponsor the Diamond Lunch, please give me a call, you won’t regret it.

Caroline xx