Rural View Cheesecake Shop hailed for major fundraising effort for sick kids
Just months after opening, a Mackay cake shop has defied expectations by becoming one of Australia’s top three Make-A-Wish fundraisers.
Just months after opening their doors, The Cheesecake Shop Rural View has proven the power of community spirit after becoming one of the top fundraising stores in Australia for Make-A-Wish.
The business recorded 864 customer pledges, the third-highest across The Cheesecake Shop’s network, as part of the franchise’s national campaign to help grant wishes for critically ill children.
Franchise co-owner Taylah Barron said the result was a privilege and a testament to how strongly the community rallies together for a good cause.
“It was so refreshing,” Taylah said.
“I think it’s a no-brainer when it comes to children and just wanting to see a child smile when they’re at their most vulnerable, there’s no feeling like it at the end of the day.
“I feel like the whole community feels like that, that’s not just an us thing, that’s an everybody thing and I think
that’s why people were so excited.”
Despite being only months into business, Taylah and her husband Tyler Barron threw themselves into the fundraising effort, blending their new store with their long-time involvement in the region’s car community.
Taylah said her husband’s car club already fundraises multiple times a year for different charities, so partnering with Make-A-Wish felt right.
“We are very heavily embedded in the Mackay community and the charity side of things,” she said.
“The stars aligned and why not use our platforms that we have at our fingertips, being my husband’s social media and car community and our new baby, being The Cheesecake Shop, and combine the two.
“Fundraising is something that we really, really believe in at the end of the day.”
Through their car community, the couple has fundraised for several local charities, including the BMA CQ Rescue Helicopter, Mackay Base Hospital’s children’s ward and local cancer organisations.
For Ms Barron this cause in particular was very personal.
“This one really hits close to home,” she said.
“We’ve got family friends who had a child that had a wish come true, they got the opportunity to attend the snow a couple of years ago.”
She said seeing firsthand the pressure childhood illness places on families made the fundraiser even more important.
“These illnesses don’t come with a paycheck or holiday or sick leave,” she said.
“Although most businesses are quite giving when it comes to those circumstances, at the end of the day, families are just trying to get back to their normal, they’re looking for routine, school, work, family, friends.
“They’re not looking for the golden layer above that or the cherry on top of the cake, being a holiday.”
She said for Make-A-Wish to strive to gift families these things was “phenomenal”.
“Before you know it, you’ve spent three days tobogganing or you’ve spent a day at Dreamworld or you’ve gone to Disneyland and you haven’t sat in the thoughts of ‘what if’,” she said.
Ms Barron encouraged other local businesses to get involved in charity work, no matter the size of their contributions.
“Even though it takes a lot of time and energy and effort and you don’t get anything from it, there’s no materialistic return, it’s such a feel good thing for yourself,” she said.
“$10 helps, $100 helps. $1,000 helps.”
With the Rural View store trading seven days a week, the Barrons plan to use their prize gift card for a team Christmas celebration.
“I’m huge on making sure I pat the team on the back because it wasn’t me, it wasn’t my husband, it was all of us collectively,” she said.
“We’re very grateful and stoked.”
And while nearly topping Australia wasn’t the goal, Taylah said it’s a milestone they’ll cherish.
“We didn’t strive to be number one, two or three, that’s just a bonus along the way,” she said.
“It’s really cool.”
