Local children impacted by economic hardship and domestic violence will benefit from the generosity of one of the Sunshine Coast’s longest-standing businesses.
Dredging and civil construction company Hall Contracting has donated 75 back-to-school packs to charity SunnyKids, to commemorate 75 years in business.
Hall Contracting CEO Cameron Hall said the donation, valued at about $15,000, was made in honour of his late grandfather, Hall Contracting founder Les Hall.
“My grandfather was raised in poverty, suffered from polio and had a very limited education, but despite his challenging start to life, he managed to purchase a surplus army truck and start the family business in 1946, supplying sand and gravel on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Hall said.
“His success is testament to the potential that exists within all of us, so as Hall marks its 75th year in business, we thought it was only fitting to lend a helping hand to local youth facing challenging circumstances.
“I’m incredibly proud of the legacy my grandfather created and know he would be thrilled to see how the company has evolved over the years, having grown from such humble beginnings into Australia’s largest dredging, civil construction and marine civil contractor.”
Mr Hall said each back-to-school pack included a backpack, pencil case, drink bottle and stationery, as well as a $100 Rebel voucher to help with the cost of school shoes and sporting equipment.
“We’ve compiled packs for prep students, right through to those sitting their Queensland Certificate of Education, and sincerely hope this will ease some of the pressure on Sunshine Coast families in need,” he said.
SunnyKids General Manager Kathleen Hope said the donation was gratefully received ahead of the 2022 school year, with demand for domestic violence support services having surged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At one point during the pandemic, we recorded a 48 per cent increase in requests for assistance, which sadly highlights how prevalent domestic violence is within our community,” Ms Hope said.
“Many women and children who have experienced family and domestic violence flee with very few belongings, so these backpacks will be a welcome addition to families who are making a fresh start.”
Ms Hope said the backpacks would also assist in providing students with a sense of belonging in the school community.
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“Children impacted by economic hardship can often feel ostracised or embarrassed amongst their peers if they lack basic resources or have to come to school with a bag or shoes that are falling apart,” she said.
“For a child who may have had to carry pencils to school in a plastic bag, being able to pull out a pencil case in their favourite colours or prints can make such a marked difference to their confidence levels.
“Education plays a critical role in breaking the cycle of disadvantage, so providing students with access to resources like this can help to encourage them to stay in school and achieve their full potential.”
SunnyKids has assisted about 1000 vulnerable children in the past year, providing thousands of nights of emergency accommodation, as well as counselling, domestic violence support, mentoring programs and more.
