The Internet has enabled us to raise awareness of many a deserving issue. Now, through the power of online communities, PlanBig is pairing great ideas with great people, to achieve some impressive results. It is a community website which links people who have plans with people who can help, in order to make things happen and make a difference.
By Keeva Stratton
We spoke with some of the women with big plans, to see how they were making the most of this exciting concept:
CRUISIN 4 A CURE – Vanessa Wyder
Vanessa Wyder has survived Hodgkin’s lymphoma twice and so is now cruising around the whole country in a motorhome this year—visiting nearly 100 towns with a plan to raise a million dollars for the Cancer Council.
RESCU: How did you come up with your idea?
Vanessa Wyder: While I was unwell in ICU, I received an email from a colleague who happened to know the Ryan family who own Jayco, and they offered me a motorhome for 12 months to fulfill my dream. I saw this as an amazing opportunity to give back, and raise money to get us closer to a cure.
RESCU: What has been the biggest challenge so far?
Vanessa Wyder: Hearing other stories of loss and suffering. Cancer is so widespread and it causes grief for so many families. There are survival stories too which are inspiring, but they are not as common, unfortunately.
RESCU: Where are you planning to travel to?
Vanessa Wyder: On the 25th of January 2012, I left Melbourne and went to Adelaide, continued along the Nullarbor to Perth, and I am now travelling up North to Darwin through Broome. From Darwin, I will be travelling South to Uluru, East to Splendour in the Grass, then back up North to Cape Tribulation. I will finish the trip with the East Coast and Tasmania.
RESCU: As someone who has experienced cancer personally, what does this fundraising challenge mean to you?
Vanessa Wyder: It means an incredible amount to me, and I know that with persistence and belief in myself and the generosity of Australians, I will achieve my goal. Vanessa Ryder is currently on her Cruisin 4 a Cure journey.
If you’d like to support her, you can visit her PlanBig page here: https://www.planbig.com.au/cruisin-4-a-cure
WALK IN WARDROBE – Meg Rayner
Walk in Wardrobe is an innovative fundraising concept, developed and brought to life by Melbourne girls Angie Dimitriou and Meg Rayner. Walk in Wardrobe gives women a chance to set up stalls and sell off any unwanted clothes, shoes, jewellery and accessories – and 20% of what stall holders make goes to charity.
RESCU: How did you come up with your idea?
Meg Rayner: Angie actually first came up with the idea to run an event for charity, she wanted to do something to help young people in nursing homes through YoungCare Australia. Since then we’ve picked a different charity each year. The market idea itself was something we thought would be fun for us and our friends, and a good way to appeal to girls our age who want to support charities but don’t know how.
RESCU: How did you secure the salon space?
Meg Rayner: Angie is the owner of Boda Haircutters, and since it is already closed on Sundays it was easy for us to access and utilise the space. It a fantastic location because of it’s proximity to Chapel Street.
RESCU: What made you choose MS as your charity to support?
Meg Rayner: Angie has several clients with MS and we decided we would raise money for a disease that predominantly affects young women, like ourselves and our friends. It’s our small way of helping raise money for research so we can find a cure and treatment options.
RESCU: Is there a particular shoe or fashion item you’re hoping might arrive on the day?
Meg Rayner: Angie and I both love our jewellery, so hopefully there are some unique, chunky necklaces that we will no doubt fight over! Walk In Wardrobe is a great way to enjoy fashion and support an important charity.
It takes place on Sunday May 6, from Midday at Boda Haircutters, 183 Greville St Prahan.
You can find further details here: https://www.planbig.com.au/walk-in-wardrobe-fashion-market-supporting-multiple-sclerosis