LOCALS have donated $5470 for PCYC Morisset during the annual ‘Time for Kids’ fundraiser in Morisset Square.
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That’s where prominent locals and PCYC supporters get locked up in a mock prison cell and tasked with raising $500 in “bail” from passing shoppers, and online.
On Friday, Lake Macquarie FM 97.3 radio presenter Wayne ‘Ossie’ Osborne, local horse breeder Brett Howard, and a delegation from Dora Creek Women’s Bowling Club each did stints behind bars for the cause outside Coles.
PCYC Morisset club manager Rosmairi Dawson said to top $5000 was “an incredible result”.
“The money will allow us to continue to fund the Fit for Life programs each term in 2019, along with purchasing some more equipment for activities that we need,” she said.
“Part of the money is a tied donation in the sense it will be put toward the installation of a water fountain/drink bottle station that we will have installed in the New Year.”
That was part of the women bowlers’ contribution.
Making news:
Mr Osborne said he “jumped at the chance” to help PCYC Morisset.
A former youth worker, Mr Osborne said he knew what good work the PCYC did, and the safe space it provided for local young people.
And when it came to gaining the attention of passing shoppers, Mr Osborne had a nice routine going.
“Hey, they won’t give me any toilet paper! Will you get me some toilet paper?” he’d ask stunned passers-by who just had to stop and ask what was going on.
Mr Osborne told the Lakes Mail it was all about creating awareness for the PCYC.
“I’ve tried cracking a few jokes, and everyone I’ve spoken to has been positive,” he said.
“And those who haven’t got money to donate have stopped to say ‘good on you’. Not everyone can afford to give something.”
Ms Dawson said some very young children seemed unsure about the stunt, but it did create awareness of the PCYC.
“So the kids soon learn that it’s [PCYC] lots of fun.”
Ms Dawson thanked her ‘prisoners’ and those who mae donations.
“The support of the individual ‘prisoners’ has been exceptional. One prisoner, Brett Howard, from Randwick Bloodstock Agency, raised a phenomenal $3,700,” she said.