Donate swimwear for Fijian children
Newport local Tilly Cooper may only be 13 years old, but she is on a mission to help those less fortunate than her.
Following a trip to Fiji, the Brigidine Girls College Year 8 student decided to collect swimwear to send to children in Fiji – an initiative she undertook after a family holiday there.
In Fiji, Tilly visited Tagaqe, a local village that her mum used to visit regularly while growing up. Tilly’s grandparents even renewed their wedding vows in Tagaqe.
Tilly and some local children were playing footy before deciding to cool off with a swim. Tilly was surprised that the children didn’t have swimwear and always swam in their clothes. That’s when her idea for the Fijian Clothes Drive emerged.
The keen junior surf life saver, from Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club, has connections with many other clubs on the Beaches. And because of the fact that clubs change their jerseys regularly when changing sponsors, her Fijian clothes drive was born.
Tilly’s now calling out to surf clubs around the upper Northern Beaches and local surf shops to help her by collecting donations of new or ‘gently’ used swimwear, such as swimmers, wetsuits, rashies, boardies and goggles. The general public can also donate at their local participating surf club.
She’s had a great response so far, with surf clubs from Palm Beach to Collaroy showing their support.
“We’re getting a lot of rashies from surf clubs, and we’re getting a lot of swimmers,” says Tilly. “But I think we need more boardies and long-sleeved rashies.”
Tilly received sponsorship from Officeworks and was given lots of cardboard boxes and, with her mum’s help, drops them to interested surf clubs and collects them when full.
“We’ve got a full box from Newport already and two from Mona Vale,” says Tilly. “The thing is that if all the clubs keep doing as well (with donations) as they are now, we will need sponsorship (to get the swimwear to Fiji).
“We need money or a sponsor within a local organisation,” says Tilly.
Tilly says it’s a wonderful opportunity for clubs to come together as a community and make a meaningful difference to the families of Tagaqe.
Tilly with parents Kai and Allison
If you would like to help Tilly help the children, you can contact her via her Instagram page@myfijianclothesdrive.
Donations close 9 February.