Why I chose Layne Beachley Aim For The Stars Foundation

As part of the International Women's Day Debate (see previous blog), I was able to choose a charity to whom I wanted my share of the funds raised from they day donated to.

I wanted to find a charity that was not only a good cause, but was also close to my heart. 

Briefly, my background is that I grew up in Bundaberg and it is safe to say, I am not from your typical middle, or upper class. I've mentioned in previous blogs about how hard my dad worked to get me through a private high school so I could go to university and study law. 

Three months after I turned 17, I left Bundaberg for Brisbane to study law and commerce, majoring in politics. I had worked since I was 13 so I could buy clothes and other teenage things during high school. I had limited savings before moving out of home. When I got to Brisbane, I had no savings left after paying bond and rent.  My dad gave me money so I could buy my first lot of groceries. I was so grateful.  I was also lucky my 3 years of working in bowling alley during high school made it easier to get a job at the local bowling alley in Brisbane pretty quickly. 

Balancing study, uni and work was hard. I had just turned 17, but had to manage financially. I was using a 486 computer (in 2002) and frequently was pulling late nights up in the computer rooms as they had Microsoft Word that was current and internet was too expensive to have at home (dial-up). 

I made it through though. It was hard financially throughout the years, and I still have HECS, but it was worth it. I am not going to lie, I would have given anything in those first few weeks in Brisbane to have had more help financially with buying textbooks and a new computer. I am grateful for those I could call on financially and emotionally. 

This brings me back to my chosen charity. While researching charities ahead of the Debate, Layne Beachley came up in my LinkedIn feed (I'm an avid - but hopeless - surfer), about the grants offered through her charity, the Aim For the Stars Foundation.  

I researched further and was so drawn in. The Foundation offers financial assistance to girls who want to pursue their dreams and ambitions. My choice was simple and Layne has always been someone I admired throughout her surfing career (and beyond) and to see what she is now doing for these girls, elevates her even more in my eyes. 

I am proud that because of my participation in the debate, thanks to all of those who attended and donated on the day, a total of just over $9,500 will be donated to Aim For the Stars Foundation. 

I have read through the Grant receipts for 2014 and these females are going to be game changers one day. I hope the money raised makes a difference to some young girls lives and gives them an opportunity to pursue their goals. No one should be held back from pursuing their dreams due to money. 

I will forever support Aim For the Stars Foundation. 

If you want to make a donation to Aim For the Stars Foundation, visit www.aimforthestars.com.au.

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