Prison jumpsuits will be swapped for leotards and leg warmers for the LAFM team’s annual Whitelion Bail Out fundraiser.
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A time-warp back to the 80s is on offer for those who wish to support Whitelion’s 2017 Bail Out, which will see participants locked up in Hobart Gaol to experience the life of a prisoner.
If they do not reach their allocated “bail” or fundraising goal participants will be imprisoned in the jail. It will be the fourth year the LAFM team has held the fundraising event that aims to raise their bail target.
Participant Rob Fairs said the station had posted a $10,000 target and they were on their way to reach that goal but encouraged everyone to participate.
“I am just passionate about the charity, I’m passionate about the cause,” he said.
Mr Fairs has been in the Bail Out for seven years.
“What is really important is that all of the funds raised here stay in Tasmania, they go directly into the programs run here,” she said.
Mr Fairs said he believed all children should be given equal opportunity and that it was hard to believe some things like going to the footy was something the Whitelion kids had never experienced.
Whitelion state manager Barb Walters said the Whitelion Bail Out was the charity’s signature event, which helped to raise both funds and awareness.
“We only have some state government funding but we still have significant financial shortfalls,” she said.
The funds raised from the Bail Out go directly into the programs run across the state that include mentoring, employment and leadership programs.
Ms Walters said there had been a consistent level of demand across the state for the programs but the demand outstripped their ability.
Whitelion offers young people aged 10-24 years old the change to create meaningful relationships with adults and Ms Walters said for some it was the first chance they’d had.
The 80s fundraiser will be held at the Star Bar and owner Mick Aquarola said he had been supporting the event for about four years.
“It’s a very worthwhile cause,” he said.
The Whitelion Bail Out fundraiser will be held on Saturday at the Star Bar, Launceston, from 7.30pm. Tickets are available now for the early bird price of $15 with door sales of $20.