Players partner with Share the Dignity to pack 4,000 bags for women and girls in need
Australian charity Share the Dignity has launched its annual It’s In The Bag campaign, with a packing drive at St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe.
With support from corporate partners, including the Brisbane Broncos, and passionate volunteers including students from St Patrick’s College, Share the Dignity is aiming to pack 4,000 bags full of essential items throughout the September school holidays, to be gifted to women and girls facing tough times this Christmas.
We were joined by the Brisbane Broncos staff and team including Ali Briginshaw, Beryl Friday, Jamayne Isaako, Patty Carrigan, Keenan Palasia, Brendan Piakura, former players Justin Hodges, Darius Boyd, our ambassador Christian Hull, TikTok wizard Nat Alise, Brisbane artist Emma MacNeill, Brisbane’s Young Citizen of the Year for 2020 Cody Schaeffer, the team from DECJUBA and Councillor Jared Cassidy.
Students and staff from St Patrick's College, Shorncliffe, were on hand to help out after generously allowing us to use their sporting hall over the school holidays.
With COVID-19 lockdowns impacting key parts of the country, Share the Dignity has adapted its annual Christmas collection drive to give supporters the option to Sponsor A Bag virtually, if they are unable to visit their local Bunnings drop-off point.
Share the Dignity Founder and Managing Director Rochelle Courtenay said this was essential to meet the significant increase in requests to help vulnerable women.
“I've lost sleep thinking about the number of charity requests we’ve received this year but have been unable to meet. We clearly saw the impact of COVID-19 last year – we received 90,000 It’s In The Bag donations compared to 145,000 the previous year. Fulfilling this year’s requests will be no easy feat given the current lockdowns,” Ms Courtenay said.
“It has always been our goal to ensure every woman and girl spending Christmas in a domestic violence shelter receives the basic essentials and importantly, feels loved. We’re also making it our mission this year to give remote and regional communities the support they need. In times of crisis, these communities are often the hardest hit, but they’re also the most difficult for us to reach due to the expense and logistical challenges.
“It’s so much more than just a bag – for many, it’s the only gift they will receive this Christmas. A simple gift, filled with essential products, little luxuries and kind words, provides hope and dignity for many women and girls. That’s something we all deserve.”
Brisbane Broncos NRLW Captain Ali Brigginshaw added that they were proud to team up with Share the Dignity to kick-off the 2021 It’s In The Bag campaign.
“We are thrilled to work with Share the Dignity today to help make a real difference to the lives of so many women and girls,” Ali said.
“Each bag that we pack means there’s one less woman or girl who is going without this Christmas – that’s motivation enough to reach our goal of packing 4,000 bags. We encourage our fans to get behind this important cause and donate to the It’s In The Bag Christmas appeal, either virtually or in person.”
Those wanting to support can Sponsor A Bag online, drop-off an It’s In The Bag donation to their nearest Bunnings store from 19-28 November 2021 or register to become a Share the Dignity volunteer. Donations will be distributed to Australians in need in time for Christmas via Share the Dignity’s charity partners.
From Wednesday 22 September to Friday 1 October 2021, St Patrick’s College will be transformed into a vibrant assembly line, with hundreds of passionate volunteers helping to pack 4,000 It’s In The Bag donations.
