Image: Keeley's Cause

Ballan-born charity Keeley’s Cause wants schools to help fundraise for children with communication disabilities – and maybe help students to learn a few life lessons along the way.

The ‘Gold Coin for a Cause’ program was launched in March but has been overshadowed by COVID19 and the rise of home-schooling.

The idea is for students to turn up to class out of uniform – and preferably in fluoro colours – in return for a donation.

Keeley’s mother Sharon Murphy says it’s a way of encouraging kids to do a good deed, understand autism and other disabilities, develop empathy for these children – and help prevent bullying.

Schools have the opportunity to sponsor an iPad. As part of the fundraising, Students have the opportunity to meet and present their recipient with funds raised over the $600 mark.

“As we start to think about classes going back to normal, I challenge every school in Moorabool, Melton and Ballarat to take this on,” Ms Murphy said.

“It makes such a difference in the lives of young children with disabilities and their families.”

“Not long ago we had a non-verbal 9-year-old child interstate who received an iPad through Keeley’s Cause and within a week-and-a-half his mother got in touch to let us know he was a changed boy.

“His meltdowns were no longer happening, his daily schedules were able to be done on his iPad and more importantly, he could communicate using picture-based apps.

Ballan girl Keeley Johnson (pictured) set up the charity at age 13 after seeing a huge need for iPads in the ASD community – especially where parents were on low incomes or their carer roles meant they were unable to work.

“We have a right to an education as much as anyone else, so if iPads are what we need to learn, then iPads are what we are going to get,” she said.

“Autism doesn’t define me. I define Autism.”

Since 2018 they have given away 103 iPads across Australia and raised $70,000 without Government help.

Now 16, she also recently won an Aspect Australia David Foster Appreciation Award for her work.

We have just received the most amazing news. Keeley has just been announced the WINNER of 2020 Aspect Recognition…

Posted by Keeley's Cause on Tuesday, 31 March 2020

** For more information, go to www.keeleyscause.org.au

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Gabrielle Hodson
Author: Gabrielle Hodson

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