Fairies and angels changing kids lives

THE demands of modern life mean more families than ever are in need of a helping hand.

And when times are toughest for the community's families it is often the volunteers from Aunties and Uncles Illawarra that step up to fill the void.

The charity acts as a stand-in extended family for people, minding children in emergency situations or providing parents with a much-needed break.

The bottom line is that they help to keep local families strong when they are struggling under external pressures.

But now the charity itself is in need of a helping hand.

President of Aunties and Uncles Illawarra, Elaine Carrett, said there were at least 100 families and children on the organisation's potential client list - but only 15 local volunteers to meet the demand.

Ms Carratt, who has eight children of her own aged from 35 to 11, has been a member of Aunties and Uncles for many years, both on the committee and as a carer.

The Bulli local said the charity was urgently in need of new volunteers

"Usually we ask them to take (children) for a weekend once a month, but we have a couple of younger people in their early 20s and they just spend a day with them," she said.

Aunties and Uncles Illawarra recently received a grant of $10,000 from the St. George Foundation, which will help support their work.

As a token of appreciation to the community the charity are planning a special children's event for late September or early October.

The event, called The Fairy Queen and Wizard Show, will be open to both clients and the general public and will be held at Corrimal Community Centre

To help Aunties and Uncles Illawarra or to become involved as a volunteer please contact the charity on 4284 0981.