We invite you to RizeUp with us!
Learn about our new charity endeavour and find out how you can help too…
Supporting local not-for-profit communities is something we hold very close to our hearts.
We are so proud to announce our support of RizeUp Australia, a community-driven organisation of passionate men and women, dedicated to supporting the many families affected by domestic and family violence.
RizeUp aim to drive awareness of domestic and family violence through ‘vehicles’ designed to harness community support.
This includes everything from helping to create a new home for victims fleeing a violent household and supporting children in their healing process, to raising much-needed funds for families left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Often when a family finds a new home, they have no belongings to fill it with. RizeUp make sure their new home is furnished and there are a few home comforts including toys, toiletries and small appliances so they can get on their feet.
These homes have started from nothing, so every single item is a donation. On average, RizeUp is setting up six homes for six families a week.
Often families are moving to an entirely new place for security reasons and need to start over, so having a fully functional home really allows them to settle in for the first few days.
The Beginning
Our beloved Lloyds employee, Paula, brought our awareness to RizeUp after seeing them on Facebook through a friend of a friend.
Paula began following RizeUp a few years ago but recently saw a Facebook post that showed a picture of a rather empty pantry. Because she knew what they did and what they stood for, she thought that this is something she can help with.
Paula herself has always wanted to volunteer but always had the excuse of her “lack of time” floating around in her mind. She figured a lot of us were like that but figured we could all donate some food, so she brought the idea to our Lloyds Auctions management team!
With the support of management, Paula went full steam ahead, gathering support from all areas of the business.
What are Lloyds Auctions doing?
Every month Lloyds will be having a ‘Feel Good Friday’ where our staff members are to bring in an item (or gold coin) to donate to RizeUp to help them set up new homes for those who have had to flee their own.
Our first mission was pantry goods! Every family’s new pantry is kitted out with tea, coffee, sugar, milk, cereal, pasta or rice, sauces, canned veges and fruit, biscuits, and cooking oil. Any donated items outside of this will be added in as extras!
Today Paula and Lloyds Legend, Geri, met with Jodie and Lorraine from RizeUp to drop off our food donations. The amount of food we gathered will be enough to set up about five families in need and give them enough, so they won’t have to leave the house for a few days if they don’t feel like it!
Each month we will have a different focus; whether it be toiletries, cleaning products, toys, bedding or laundry goods!
Such a small token from everybody here at Lloyds can be such a huge help to somebody at the other end and knowing that we are making a real difference in people’s lives.
What are the easiest ways you can help?
Lloyds Auctions would like to present to you the perfect opportunity to help your own wellbeing and someone else’s by simply doing something nice for someone today.
- Follow RizeUp on Facebook where they post exactly what they need at any given time, then donate goods/services or gift vouchers accordingly.
- ‘Like’, ‘Follow’ and share RizeUp’s social media pages to spread the word because the more they grow, the more families we can help!
- Donate at mycause.com.au/payment/charity/14570
- Hold an independent fundraiser – contact [email protected] or fundraise via MyCause.
- Email [email protected] for general enquiries.
- Email [email protected] for questions about domestic violence or family violence.
The only brand new items that are required are pillows, food and small electrical items like kettles, toasters and microwaves (for safety purposes). Otherwise, good quality, second-hand donations are welcomed with open arms!
Big furniture items like beds, dining tables and lounges are donated by the public but are difficult to come by and are always in high demand.
RizeUp are often left desperate for sporting goods and bedding for teenage boys and toys for young toddlers! The other necessity, which people don’t often think of, is tab top curtains which are needed for security in the new rental homes for families.
Even if you can’t contribute by dropping off goods, a small donation of money can go a long way. This can help hugely with the ‘unseen’ costs like putting fuel in the truck and paying rent on some of the storage units.
Simply email [email protected] to find the closest drop off point for you!
Can you help more?
RizeUp is a dynamic name that provides a collaborative call to action approach that doesn’t polarize any sections within our community.
Domestic Violence is a very real issue that affects all communities regardless of race, religion, sex, creed or colour and as such it is only right that we ‘RizeUp’ and join together to address it.
RizeUp have 19 small storage units dotted around Queensland where they keep all the donations they receive, whether it be food, furniture, toys and everything in between!
To gather what items they need to set up a new home (catered specifically to each family’s individual needs) can involve a lot of driving and meticulous planning. The number one biggest thing on their wish list is a warehouse big enough to base themselves out of.
They have one moving truck that they use for picking up furniture and food donations and for setting up new homes. They only have two volunteers that are able to drive it and they are longing for more!
Email [email protected] for information on becoming a team member.
To find out more about how you can support local charities alongside us, simply pop your email address below. You will be sent emails about our charity auctions and what you can do to help!
