5 minute read

Backpacks 4 Vic Kids - Community support for kids in care

from 49 Gippsland Lifestyle Summer, page 158

Article from: 49 Gippsland Lifestyle Summer

A rising star for Farmer Smith

Determined Nyora resident and founder of the Runmum group – Jade Cranton – was five days in to her six consecutive marathons in support of registered charity organisation Backpacks 4 VIC Kids (B4VK) when a giant blister threatened to end her challenge. She was feeling unwell and the roads she was running and walking on had caused issues for her feet.

Emotional and raw, Jade shared via social media that she didn’t know what to do. This wasn’t what she planned.

But giving up wasn’t an option. The reason behind Jade’s marathons had a strong pull to her heart. This was to raise awareness and funds for an organisation that was established to support children entering foster care to escape domestic violence, sexual assault, and neglect.

“I tried to keep perspective that I was doing this for the kids,” Jade says at the completion of her mega marathon. “These kids have to adapt in really challenging times. What they deal with before they're removed from their home and the way they must adapt and evolve depending on the situation they're in… that's what it's about. It's about raising awareness and money for the kids,” Jade shares.

On the bike for the final two days, Jade completed over 250 kilometres, travelling from Bairnsdale to Caldermeade alongside Lyn Laughton, who also rode the entire journey. They raised over $7000 for B4VK. The donations amounted to covering the costs for all the My Essentials (ME) Packs placed in the new East Gippsland distribution centre.

In these packs are essential items including clothing, toiletries, and a blanket as well as extra love items such as toys and games for a child to take with them to their new home. Often relocation of a child is an emergency. A child entering foster care can have nothing but the clothes on their back.

B4VK founder Sally Beard started the organisation understanding the need. “I've been a foster carer, so I've seen and experienced kids coming at different times of the day and night. They turn up with nothing at all. These backpacks have such a deep and meaningful impact on the kids,” Sally explains.

“It's also helping the caseworkers, the people who make first contact with the kids when they're scared, anxious, angry and grieving. We give the child something that's going to make the carer’s job a bit easier and to make the child more comfortable.”

Something small like having a game or toy in their backpack to share with children in the foster home can aid the displaced child’s sense of self-worth. They are arriving with something to give, something to share.

Whether it’s an item of clothing like Bart Simpson pyjamas to offer a distraction and smile to a young boy or a soft toy for a baby or young toddler to cuddle at night, these packs are thoughtfully collated by caring volunteers in the charities Cranbourne West warehouse.

What started in Sally’s garage in November 2014 now operates from a large warehouse with several distribution centres across Victoria. The most recent one to open is in Bairnsdale, thanks to Ian and Keryn McCIuskey who voluntarily opened up their home to house crisis packs, making these readily accessible to the workers who provide support to children in the Gippsland region. “Ian and Keryn have so wonderfully given up some space in their shed to put some shelving in there to have these packs on hand so we can get them out in time for kids in this area,” Sally says with gratitude.

This was the reason Jade started her run in Bairnsdale. She wanted to raise the profile of the work that B4VK does, acknowledge the new distribution point and share how the people of Gippsland can be supporting this important organisation.

It’s through the amazing efforts of people like Jade, Lyn, Ian and Keryn that Sally feels a great sense of validation for what her organisation can accomplish. “If it wasn't for the support of the community, we wouldn’t be able to achieve what we have today. It’s the community who want to give that makes this happen. It’s going to make me cry,” Sally shares feeling overcome by emotion. She has a lot to be proud of.

Jade also has a lot of gratitude for those who supported her event. Stratford Tourist Park and the Top Pub Morwell provided a place to rest as well as lifts to the next starting point. Bass Coast Podiatry came to Jade’s aid when needed and members of the Gippsland Road Runners joined the run along the way. Jade loves that she is not your typical runner. In fact, she doesn’t enjoy running at all! It is a healthy way to bring people together to socialise and an opportunity to raise awareness for good causes. Her biggest thankyou goes to Lyn, who didn’t let a hip replacement or very short notice stop her from supporting Jade out on the road. “She has been incredible. It blows me away the belief people have in me. I’d also really like to thank my family, the Gippsland businesses, the people who donated and everyone involved.”

On top of providing backpacks year-round, B4VK also aims to distribute over 3,000 Santa Packs containing something to cuddle, a book and two other presents for children often forgotten during the holiday season. With big hearts and many helping hands, this organisation will continue to work hard to make a difference in the lives of children who need it.