Canada Bay raises $50,000 for Burmese aid project

Sydney
25 August 2002

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Canada Bay raises $50,000 for Burmese aid project

By Marilyn Kerjean

Lance Brooks founded Communities for Communities (C4C) in May but it is off to a running start thanks to local support.

The C4C committee of 14 volunteers from the Canada Bay area have already nailed their first fundraising goal of $50,000 for welfare and education projects for the ethnic Burmese people of Ranong, on the Thai-Burma border.

In September, Lance will go to Ranong with independent documentary filmmaker Peter Butt to make a film that will be used by C4C and the Canada Bay community. They will meet the people of Ranong, see what their needs are and discuss how their community partners here can best assist them.

The latest fundraiser, a private screening of Bend it Like Beckham for 400 people at the local Greater Union cinema, raised $8500.

Local businesses donated raffle prizes (including a dinner for eight to the value of $1000) and one person paid the $2100 theatre rental fee.

“The response of people has been absolutely fantastic,” says Lance.

“It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying each other’s company and helping the people of Ranong at the same time.” Communities for communities is not just about the people over there, he says. It is equally about building communities here.

“Our commitment to the people of Ranong and these C4C events has brought the Canada Bay community together and enriched our own lives,” Lance says.

He founded C4C after competing on Channel Nine’s Survivor gave him a glimpse of what it is like to suffer from hunger every day.

Although they are ahead of schedule in terms of fundraising, C4C and its Ranong partner, Caritas, expect they will need another $50,000 to fund their work. Next on the fundraising agenda are a community picnic in November and a yoga session in a park followed by breakfast.

To join the Canada Bay C4C committee or inquire about starting a committee in your area, call Lance on (02) 9736 1080 or 0407 223 939.

To make a donation call 1800 024 413.