Mackay charities lucky as region takes out second place in GoFundMe’s giving report

The founder of one Mackay charity helping hundreds of the region’s most vulnerable would have closed down if it had been in any other town.

Mackay is well-versed in the art of generosity taking out second place in GoFundMe’s roundup of donation figures across Australia for 2021.

It is hardly surprising given the region’s residents have already jumped to donate a collective $20,000 in a matter of weeks to help cover costs for a Moranbah man who’s eye was slice in a horrific glassing attack and a single mother of five who had her car torched while waiting surgery in hospital.

The placing was based on donations per capita as identified in GoFundMe’s Year In Giving report revealing Hervey Bay as number one, Mackay second and NSW’s Wagga Wagga third.

Donations for Lonny Day, Luke Howe, and Ethan Stevens were the largest in the Mackay region for 2021. Picture: GoFundMe

The top three GoFundMe charities in Mackay for the year were Relief for Lonny, Ethan Stevens road to recovery and Luke Howe’s Care & Recovery Fund.

But Mackay’s generosity is being felt in all corners of the region with charities coming out to thank the community for its support.

Chances Cafe and Street Aid Australia founder Kayleigh Brewster said if she had set up her organisation anywhere else — there was no guarantee it would still exist today.

“The Mackay community has picked us up when we’ve been at rock bottom — I’m not ashamed to say that,” Ms Brewster said.

Australian Street Aid Project founder Kayleigh Brewster. Picture: Melanie Whiting

The non-for-profit organisation has helped more than 500 people through 2021 including providing meals for up to 60 people a week.

The cafe offers employment for people who are homeless and those who need to skill up while operating a “pay-it-forward” scheme where customers can buy meals for those doing it tough.

Ms Brewster said it was no surprise Mackay had taken out a top spot in 2021’s generosity ranking.

“We live in a very generous and kind-hearted community, there have been times where we wouldn’t survive without the Mackay community,” she said.

And Ms Brewster is not the only one thanking the region for its generosity with Broken Ballerina founders Jules and Pete Thompson praising the Mackay community for its support.

“So far in 2021 we have had approximately $50,000 donated to us and that does not include things like airtime, photography etc,” Broken Ballerina founder Jules Thompson said. Picture: Zizi Averill

“So far in 2021 we have had approximately $50,000 donated to us and that does not include things like airtime, photography etc,” Mrs Thompson said.

She said the organisation relied entirely on fundraisers such as the Broken Ballerina Ball along with individual and corporate donations.

“Due to the generosity of our beautiful community members, we have been able to help victims of domestic violence get to safety and provide financial support,” Mrs Thompson said.

Ms Thompson said other things provided were food deliveries, clothes, gift cards, car repairs, legal fees and support for clients in the courthouse.

Neighbourhood Hub has more than doubled its Christmas hampers for 2021 because of the generosity of the community with general manager Nicolette Ffrost estimating at least 70 will be given out to families in need this “poverty week”.

Ms Ffrost said tens of thousands of dollars had been donated to the not-for-profit organisation throughout the year to help run 10 different programs with a focus on crisis and family support helping more than 800 people a month.

RACQ CQ Rescue’s operational expenses are estimated to be about $10.5 million a year, half of which is raised through corporate sponsorships, community donations and events such as the recent Gala Dinner which generated $150,000 to the cause.

‘Without RACQ CQ Rescue, many lives would be lost or changed forever, so we are incredibly grateful to every individual and business who has supported our region’s rescuers, whether it be donating through their payroll or dropping their spare change into a CQ Rescue moneybox or gifting a large donation annually’. Picture: Matthew Forrest

CEO Ian Rowan said RACQ CQ Rescue was a vital part of emergency support for all workers in this region and was reassuring to know both the community and these larger organisations appreciate the value of supporting its helicopter.

“Without RACQ CQ Rescue, many lives would be lost or changed forever, so we are incredibly grateful to every individual and business who has supported our region’s rescuers, whether it be donating through their payroll or dropping their spare change into a CQ Rescue moneybox or gifting a large donation annually,” Mr Rowan said.

In May the Mayor’s Charity Ball had a record attendance raising more than $100,000 for HeartKids and Mackay’s Domestic Violence Resource Centre with additional money raised at the Mayor’s Charity Golf Day.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson with his wife Annette at the Mackay Mayor's Charity Ball 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins

GoFundMe Australia regional manager Nicola Britton pointed to one factor she believed was common among the towns who scored highest on the generosity scale for 2021.

“The top two most generous towns are also some of the hardest hit areas in terms of revenue loss from tourism,” Ms Britton said.

“The fact that these communities were still able to answer calls for help from others is nothing short of inspiring.

“The generosity shown by millions of Australians who donated or launched fundraisers on GoFundMe this year shows that the true Aussie spirit of backing those in need is stronger than ever, despite economic uncertainty.”