Dealership helps child safety group

THE von Bibra Group will again join up for Australia’s biggest child protection challenge, working together to help Bravehearts prevent a crime which affects more than 60,000 children annually.

Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston AM (pictured with organisation mascot Ditto), said it was the responsibility of all Australians to protect children as the organisation’s annual White Balloon Day celebrates 20 years on September 9.

“I cannot be more proud of Bravehearts and its incredible array of supporters, like the von Bibra Group all coming together to take on Australia’s biggest child protection challenge,” she said.

The milestone awareness and fundraising campaign invites schools, organisations and everyday people to join Australia’s Biggest Child Protection Challenge at whiteballoonday.com.au

Participants who take the challenge will help to protect Australian children by hosting a White Balloon Day event, fundraising online or generating awareness via social media.

Held annually during Child Protection Week, September 4-10, White Balloon Day encourages Australians to play their role in creating child-safe communities.

Von Bibra group managing director Wade von Bibra said child protection was everyone’s business and by stepping up and taking the challenge, everyone could play a role.

“Communities, churches, police, government, big business, schools, child protection organisations, the media and everyday people all committing to create child-safe communities is an incredibly powerful force and we at the von Bibra Group encourage all Gold Coasters to donate and participate, while helping to celebrate this significant 20-year milestone,” he said.

More than 1000 events are now registered in Australia on White Balloon Day every year as communities raise funds and share Bravehearts’ vision to make Australia the safest place in the world to raise a child.

Money raised throughout the campaign will go towards education and training programs as well as specialist support for children and their families. Funds raised in 2015 helped to educate around 106,000 children with personal safety and support 3750 children and their families with specialist counselling services.

“We will be proudly flying white balloons at all of our car dealerships and raising much needed funds for this very worthwhile event,” Mr von Bibra said.