When Lauren Ballie discovered Dolly’s Dream she knew instantly she wanted to help.
Lauren went to boarding school with Dolly’s dad Tick Everett and had experienced bullied, so Dolly’s story resonated strongly with her.
“I felt so alone at the time and my parents struggled to cope with it, too. Looking back, I realise how frightening it must have been for them to have felt powerless,” the Do It For Dolly Day community fundraising ambassador said.
Lauren, mother of a nine-year-old Pippa, says she doesn’t want her daughter’s sensitive nature crushed by being picked on or bullied.
“I want her to know she has a voice and can use that to stand up for others, too.”
“I support Do It For Dolly Day on May 14 to raise awareness of all of this, to let kids know bullying is not OK and to teach them to speak up,” Lauren says.
“Also Dolly’s Dream has great resources for parents who are at a loss as to what to do in these types of situations.”
Lauren is urging everyone in her Gold Coast community to take off their shoes and have some family fun while raising money for a great cause.
She is launching the first of an annual “Do It For Dolly – Barefoot Bowls Day” on Saturday 8 May, proudly supported by her local Mudgeeraba Bowls Club.
“We will have a fun game of bowls, listen to good music and there’ll be great raffle prizes,” Lauren says.
“I would love, as we go forward, for as many schools and families as possible to have access to the resources of Dolly’s Dream. Teachers and parents need support to start to end the culture of bullying.”
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