Hitz Helping Hands is one of my favourite promotions. In May each year we ask our listeners to nominate people in the Bundaberg community who are doing it tough and need some financial help. About 30 local businesses chip in to sponsor the initiative.
With their support, last year we raised $40,000 to help people like Lachlan Philo. His Mum nominated him because he needed a little bit of financial help to get to the Gold Coast for the Special Olympics. Just recently, Lachie was also selected for the Australian Junior Athletics Championship in Melbourne. He has done Bundy proud coming home with two gold medals in multi class javelin and the 400m, multi class silver in long jump and bronze in the 100m.
We have a lot of talented sports stars in our Region and if they get selected to compete in a State or National level, money can be the one thing that stops them.
The reasons businesses join the cause are simple. Floor Me Complete Flooring Solutions have spoken of the tents on the side of our riverbanks being a visual reminder of those who are doing it tough in our community, and their desire to help in a small way. Fair Dinkum Builds say they are proud to help people that need a leg up. Bundaberg Indoor Sports Centre, Beach 365 and Inflatable World told me they just want to give back to the community that supports their businesses.
Tune in to Hitz939 in June to learn who Hitz Helping Hands will support this year.
Tracey Sergiacomi is one half of the Matty and Trace breakfast duo on 9.39 HitzFM, weekdays from 6am.