Local help that goes abroad

Cathy Bloch and Dallas Hall, both from Coledale, have helped organise fundraisers for less fortunate people in Zimbabwe.

LOCAL supporters of poverty-stricken people in Zimbabwe look set to achieve their goal of raising $2000 in donations for the cause by the end of the year.

Coledale's Cathy Bloch is part of the South Coast branch of Union Aid Abroad's latest appeal to raise money for poor people in Zimbabwe.

Ms Bloch is passionate about improving the lives of these very needy people and said local fundraisers were well on the way towards achieving their end-of-year target.

Adding to the sum total are funds raised from a barefoot bowling event that was held last month and received a strong show of support from the local community.

Union Aid Abroad is an organisation aimed at contributing to regions where workers are disadvantaged.

The organisation focuses on education programs and relies on the support of trade unions, workplaces, government aid funding and kind-hearted individuals to continue their important work. In recent years the South Coast branch of the organisation has supported a number of programs in East Timor.

Local fundraising events, and donations for the Zimbabwe project, which funds 'mobile kitchens' to feed the needy, have already raised the vast majority of the targeted $2000 dollars the group wants to send.

Ms Bloch said after recounting the donations last week she discovered there is less than $100 needed to reach the target.

She said locals seemed willing to give to the cause in whatever way they could.

“People seem to be quite happy to be (involved) because it's their way of making a personal contribution at the international level,” Ms Bloch said.

The final fundraising event for the cause will be a Christmas party to be held in Austinmer on Sunday, December 2.

Ms Bloch said people are contacted about local Union Aid Abroad fundraising events by joining the local mailing list.

People can make a request to be included on the list by writing to her at PO Box 305, Thirroul, 2515 or by emailing cathybloch@bigpond.com.