Touched by Olivia Foundation

Every second Tuesday night (or Thursday night) for the last two and a half years, I’ve been part of a very special group of people who sit around a dining table discussing fundraising strategies to achieve of a vision of happier and healthier children.

This is Touched by Olivia. It is the legacy of Olivia Perkins who tragically passed away at 8 months to a rare condition, lymphangioma in November 2006. Til today I still have the picture of John carrying his baby daughter’s casket down the aisle… I will always remember his words at the funeral, ‘If we knew the outcome of today, we would still go back and do it all over – a million times out of a million times.’

Being part of a small team that created and administers this Foundation remains one of the proudest, most meaningful achievements in my life.

The Touched by Olivia Foundation stands for all abilities playgrounds across Australia so that every child (regardless of their abilities) can enjoy a playground. This is every child’s right and this beautiful vision begins in Timbrell Park, Drummoyne. The Foundation also raises funds for life-saving equipment for the Sydney Children’s Hospital and creates strategic partnerships with other charities with a focus on young children.

Since our formation, we have successfully held 2 butterfly balls and 2 family fun fairs with the last fair having over 12,000 in attendance. There’s a ball coming up on 2 May (tickets still available, shout out for volunteers). I myself particularly look forward to the fair every year, a day all families can enjoy and we can let the locals know something special for Timbrell Park is on its way.

Everyone involved in the Foundation is a volunteer. There’s John and Justine (my friends and the parents of Olivia). There’s also Fleur, Phil, Patrick, Sonja and Bec. These names probably mean nothing to you but they are like family to me. A mix of ex-Vodafone colleagues, mothers of Justine’s mothers group and subject matter experts, we are a bit of a funny bunch…. And to date we’ve raised over half a million dollars for Olivia’s beautiful legacy.

Tonight I am a tired gurl but as I sat around the living room, like most Tuesday nights, I have to admit the feeling is still very special, the privilege to be there is still mine. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

I am realistic. I recognize at some point I am going to have to revisit the growing list of charities I do volunteer work for but Touched by Olivia is one I know, one way or other, will be a lifetime commitment.

Oh… and I should mention we’ve actually very recently moved on from the dining table to the living room. It’s become second home.

Here’s also some pics from the ball launching the Foundation to its most recent event, the family fun fair of 2008.

It's 12.13am. I’m just finishing a draft of the volunteer plan against a revised running order…. and we’re still looking for volunteers so let me know if you’re free on the night of 2 May.

Good night, world.