Foundation launched to support the needy
Margot Wilson prefers money over birthday cards, but says it’s for completely selfless reasons.
Since she was young, Wilson has had a passion for raising money for those in need.
Twenty years ago, it occurred to her that if people gave her birthday cards for her birthday, all costing about $5 each, that was money that was just ‘‘thrown away’’, she said.
‘‘It dawned on me, wouldn’t it be nicer if somebody just gave me the money and I could do something with it. So I started throwing birthday fundraisers ... for many years I did that.’’
Two decades later and Wilson has fundraised and donated to many causes around the region, including Nelson Hospice, Founders Park, Natureland Wildlife Trust and Nelson ARK.
She has recently launched the Margot Foundation, a cause which aims to raise money for charities in the region and people in hardship.
She said now that she was registered with the charity commission she was able to help any organisations that were involved in helping, including health and wellbeing, arts, culture, heritage and people in hardship.
Her new website allows struggling families to apply for money online.
‘‘If a family’s just spent their last dole money on the groceries and their washing machine has broken down or their car has broken down ... they can apply.’’
Celebrating the inauguration of her foundation at Nelson’s Suter Theatre last week, everyone was welcome at the Paying It Back - Paying It Forward evening, she said, and were encouraged to donate ‘‘whatever is affordable’’.
She said nearly $4000 was raised.
Wilson said she aimed to have many more regular fun events to fill the kitty for those in need.
‘‘So until I die, I will be working hard to just get donations and events and I’ll be advertising everywhere ... to make sure that people who need help, know that I exist.’’