Redland individuals and organisations are kicking charitable goals with recent donations of football boots to the children of Tennant Creek.
The donations were coordinated by Sandra McKenzie of Birkdale whose daughter Amanda Avila has been teaching at Tennant Creek for the past five years. She has since moved to Groote Eylandt, but continues her association with Tennant Creek as it is the home of her fiancé Ryan O’Donoghue.
Sandra said her daughter saw the need so that the children of the town had something to do and didn’t pursue less desirable activities.
“Everyone wants to play rugby. But the rule is that they can’t play without shoes. That’s because players with shoes might hurt those players without them. There is no shop in town to buy anything, so I started buying them cheaply on Marketplace and sending them on,” Sandra said.
Sandra said she had approached Ormiston College to assist and received more than 30 pairs, adding to the 300 pairs ready to go.
Ormiston College community and events coordinator Kerry Elliott said the school’s P and F was happy to help out with the collection but recognised that it was just a small part of a wider initiative that Sandra had started.
“It warms our hearts to know we have contributed in a small way towards helping others, and we can be extremely grateful for what we have here at the college,” Kerry said.
Sandra said the boots will be given to the Auskick coach to distribute appropriately and was accepting all sizes and quantities.
Sandra said the boots followed earlier requests from her daughter for fresh clothing, long-sleeved t-shirts and some musical instruments. There are now sufficient instruments for 30 students and about 300 books have been donated, many by Ormiston Scouts.
“She noticed that some of the students would come to school shivering and wanted to help. Now that these needs are met, she is driving for the boots,” Sandra said.
Sandra said she was happy to meet freight and postage costs, even sending items to be used across the Barkly area.
“Yes, it’s a lot of money for every box sent. But I don’t care. I’m in a good position and helping doesn’t make much difference to me financially. What makes is a difference is knowing some good is coming out of this,” she said.
“Where would the boots go otherwise? Probably landfill.”
Anyone wishing to donate second hand boots can contact Sandra on kidsfootyboots@gmail.com
