Noraville’s Smith Family, comprising Mum Ingrid, Dad Chris and kids Minija, Vejune and Dusty, rocked up to Lakes Beach last weekend and raised $1,400 for a charity raising funds for Ukraine.
Ingrid, who grew up in Lithuania, which has witnessed a huge influx of refugees from Ukraine, said she wanted to help in some way and the best way she could do that was by making borscht soup, a dish that is well-known in both countries.
“We turned up with our ute and camper trailer and I set to work cooking up some borscht.
“We didn’t ask people for a certain amount, we just asked them to contribute what they could … some people gave us two dollars, but there was one person who gave us $50 – were were really amazed,” she said.
Ingrid explained that the money they raised, along with a personal donation of $1,000 will go to Vsl Pagalba Ukrainai, a registered charity based in Lithuania that she knows and trusts.
“It translates into ‘Help for Ukraine’ (and) they are taking supplies directly into Ukraine via minibuses to the people that need them,” she said.
The charity is linked to GoFundMe which has verified its status and operations and all donations go through GoFundMe to Vsl Pagalba Ukrainai.
Ingrid estimates that 25 or 30 families contributed on the day and that it has spurred her on to do another fundraiser.
“My husband owns and rides a Harley Davidson.
“We thought why don’t we try and organise a big ride that finishes at a large RSL on the Coast where we can have a family day with food, entertainment and kids rides?
“We don’t have a date or venue yet, but we will definitely make it happen,” she said.
The family is hoping that it will be able to involve their kids’ school, Gorokan High.
“We love doing spontaneous things as a family.
“Our plan is, when our two daughters leave High School, that we will sell up and spend our lives travelling in the camper van, home-schooling our son, Dusty.
Nicola Riches