Toowoomba formal dress donation project spreads its wings

FOR many families around the region, meeting day-to-day needs is hard enough without the added pressure of buying a dress for their daughter's formal.

Gay Hold is again helping school leavers in need with the Toowoomba School Formal Project, Tuesday, August 7, 2018. Picture: Kevin Farmer

FOR many families around the region, meeting day-to-day needs is hard enough without the added pressure of buying a dress for their daughter's formal. 

When Gay Hold first realised girls were missing out on their formals because they couldn't afford a dress, she was shocked - and set about doing something to help. 

"The girls we give dresses to - it's often very emotional. They've generally never owned a pretty dress before," Ms Hold said. 

"And when they do put it on, they're in tears. We're in tears. It's pretty emotional." 

Four years ago, Ms Hold and friend Paula Lucas began the Toowoomba School Formal Donation Project, with 20 dresses to give to girls in need. 

Now with up to 450 dresses on offer, Ms Hold, who has taken the reins of the project, is looking to help even more youngsters from the far-flung parts of the state. 

"Last year we were getting more girls from Cunnamulla, Cherbourg, Charleville, Murgon, and even one from Glen Innes, wanting a dress," she said.

"But this year, it's even more relevant. Out west, the drought-affected can't even put food on their table, let alone buy a dress for a formal." 

The project has a new home this year, thanks to the generosity of building owner John Collins, at an empty office space at 18 Duggan St. 

Gay Hold (left) and Rotary Edge president Josie Howard are thrilled with the community support they have received for the Toowoomba School Formal Project this year, Tuesday, August 7, 2018. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Rotary Club of South Toowoomba's Edge satellite club has also donated manpower to the cause, helping clean and setup the space for the project, and 92.9FM is also providing support. 

"The biggest way Rotary have helped is that manpower of making things happen. To make that phone call on Tuesday and to have all (the dresses) in here Friday night, it could not be done without that support, it's incredible," Ms Hold said. 

"The thing I want to get across is we've got all this here, we need these girls to feel comfortable enough to walk in here and we will welcome them with open arms - no questions asked.

"This is their space and this is about them. A formal only happens once in their life, so they need to do something about it and make it happen." 

For more information, to book an appointment, or to donate items, message Gay at the project's Facebook page.

Originally published as Toowoomba formal dress donation project spreads its wings