The Dam Good fundraiser has had a kick-along with a linedancer donation of $5000 that will be matched by the host shopping centre.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As the drought relief campaign in Tamworth Square continues, Chris Watson Travel and Australian Line Dancer has put up the funds after a big weekend of fundraising.
This means the centre will potentially have $20,000 for Rural Aid’s Buy A Bale campaign by the time its musical fundraiser comes to an end on Saturday.
Read also:
The Charter Hall Group is running fundraisers in 19 centres, including Tamworth Square, and aims to donate $230,000 by matching shoppers’ donations.
Mr Watson said his donation was raised during “two fantastic events” in Sydney with the linedancing community, which raised $39,000 for Buy A Bale.
He contacted Charter Hall representatives with an offer of $5000 towards their campaign, and they agreed to match his donation.
“The reason we wanted to support Buy A Bale is because they do so much – delivering stock feed, helping with household bills and providing groceries – but they also have counsellors on the ground,” Mr Watson said.
“I think that’s so important, that focus on farmers’ mental health.”
The Tamworth Square fundraiser features country music concerts every day from 10am to 2pm, with an oversized can for donations.
Charter Hall marketing manager Emily Howard said Rural Aid had guaranteed 100 per cent of the money would be used to help drought-affected farmers, so people’s generous donations would be well-spent.
“There almost seems to be more notes than coins being dropped into the barrel,” she said.
Of those donations, Tamworth Square will also match up to $5000.
Centre manager Mitch Phelps said the initiative had been “pretty well-received” and Charter Hall regional manager Shannon Hunter said the group had “an absolute mandate” to support communities in these ways.