The generosity of the Coast always astounds me.

The generosity of the Coast always astounds me.
The radio station where I work, Mix FM, is wrapping up its month-long appeal for Give Me Five For Kids for Wishlist. It is a juggernaut that has been running for decades that has raised millions of dollars for sick kids and money for countless ways to improve the quality of hospital stays for local children.

Last week, as part of a raft of events, I teamed up with my female colleague, Caroline, and we went head to head with the 2 of the boys we work with, Todd and Mark. We hit the streets of the Coast for 12 hours and collected as much cash as we could physically muster.  It was a classic case of the battle of sexes and pitting the girls against the boys.  And it was warfare.  For weeks there was trash talking and fun jibes and clandestine meetings between the genders! And in one day a crazy $85K dollars was raised.  Somehow the girls got up and we managed to pull in $50K.  A figure I am still wrapping my head around.

I hold no pretence it is the power of the cause as to why so many are so happy to give.  My Weekly Preview backed the boys by throwing $500 their way.  Pink power threatened mutiny and they matched their offer with another $500 for the girls.  And on it went in a similar fashion all day. One little girl, Ava, who is in year 3 donated her $5 pocket money.  Collin and Lauren, who own Foam and Rubber Industries, gave a whopping $15K to the charity.  The girls were challenged by one cheeky Bli Bli family to do a backflip into their pool (not how I thought we would be spending a Winter’s day) to collect a big fat juicy cheque.  Task completed we moved on killing ourselves with laughter and covered in goose bumps.

My lack of core strength was more than evident as I humiliated myself on the new Ninja Warrior course at the Big Boing centre (it is actually incredibly awesome and the owners Cathy and David support so many wonderful charities) in another outrageous challenge.  And on it went.  But the sense of camaraderie was everywhere as hundreds of people of all ages joined the fun.  And the thing that made me the most humbled were the endless care packs from women across the Coast.

Everywhere we went mums and grand mums had made Caroline and myself home made slices or sandwiches to keep our energy levels up.  Women worrying about the welfare of other women crosses all divides of money, race or religion around the world.  We received bags of jelly beans for energy; home made cookies baked with love; tiny piccolos of sparkling wine destined to put a spring in our step; and so much of the best incentification in the world: chocolate! Mel and Tahlia Stagg donated an actual tin filled with $2 and $1 coins that added up to  $501 dollars.  Their family had spent the last year saving in that tin for a holiday to the Gold Coast.

In a sea of emotion, I struggled to find words to say to the mum who has a terminally ill child who found time to arrange a fundraiser on the day to think of others.  And one of my  favourite stories of the day was Leon and Debbie from Southern Cross Sheds.  Leon backed the boys and pledged $1000 dollars.  Debbie was furious and swiftly behind her husband’s back donated $150O to the girls because she refused to be out done.  Then all out warfare broke out as the couple rallied their suppliers and organised dozens more donations so in the end they were responsible for over $6K dollars being raised through their hard work and rivalry.

The spirit of Give Me Five continues to rally the Sunshine Coast. In recent years I have seen first hand the passion the Coast feels for this charity and of course my kids have all spent time at the local hospital and I have thanked Wishlist in my prayers.There are so many wonderful charities for kids, for animals, for the frail and elderly and for the disadvantaged.  I am lucky enough to be part of several of them on the Coast and every time I ask people for money I cringe a little with embarrassment before usually receiving a cheque or some coins to the cause.  We really do have big hearts here and it is one of the things that set us apart.

I always remember standing on my street when I was a tiny girl watching the Salvation Army band belt out its big brass tunes.  I loved it when they came to town as I was born a dreamer and not much happened in my little street.  But the day the band came was one of the most exciting of the year and my single mum always found a few dollars to give.  I still love The Salvos and it continues to be a stellar charity as well.  It took me back this week to realising despite our social media obsessions and our higher and higher front gates we still genuinely care for our neighbours and for those doing it tough. But enough of the warm and fuzzies.

I reckon those boys will be coming for us next year in the Cash Clean up and will show no mercy.

Sami xx


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