Donate school packs to help those in crisis

Books, biros and backpacks are a hot commodity this summer as Busselton Water gathers donations to help support at-risk women and children.

Between November and January, the corporation will donate to Tuart House as part of its Support Families in Need initiative.

Busselton Water managing director Chris Elliott said he hoped the donations would provide tangible support for local children in need. “Violence against women is a significant issue in Australia,” Mr Elliott said.

“Busselton Water is committed to making a difference wherever we can,” he said.

Tuart House is a Busselton-based crisis accommodation and support service for women and children at imminent risk of homelessness due to this violence.

“It doesn’t have to be a large donation, a box of pencils, a pencil case, every donation will help,” Mr Elliott said.

Reportedly, one in five women in Western Australia experience at least one incident of domestic abuse, and almost two thirds of WA assaults in 2019 were related to violence within the family or home.

Children living in domestic violence circumstances are also more likely to experience learning difficulties, behavioural problems, bullying, and homelessness.

Tuart House co-ordinator Vanessa Rennie said the organisation and its families were always in need of support.

“Donations made by the public make a very real difference to the lives of families impacted by family and domestic violence,” she said.

Coloured pencils, textas, pens, lunchboxes, drink bottles, hats, pencil cases, backpacks, and stationery items are some of the commodities being collected by the corporation.

“We appreciate Busselton Water’s support and are grateful to them for bringing awareness to the issues facing the adult survivors of family violence,” Ms Rennie said.

Between March and May, the corporation will continue its hard work by also collecting toiletries for the service.

Last year, more than 230 school supplies and around 100 toiletries were donated through the initiative. Visit busseltonwater.wa.gov.au.