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Jason Riggs was the first person to donate to War Child Australia.
Natalie Martin (Qld/WA State Coordinator) asked him for his
story, and why he chose War Child. He wrote:
Hello Natalie
I've been meaning to write this
letter to you for a very, very, very long time. Apparently
I was one of the first to donate money to War Child and so
you were hoping to hear from me just so I could tell you a
little about myself. Sorry it has taken me so long to reply
(nearly a whole year!).
I live in the small city of Albany
whihc is located on the South-West coast of Western Australia.
I was born on the 4th of June 1984 and have been living here
in Albany all my life. It is a very nice part of the world,
with lots of nice beaches, mountain walks and all sorts of
different things located not too far away from the main city
centre. The place is constantly growing although I would actually
prefer it not to grow much more than what it already is because
I don't really like big cities.
The things I like to do include
listening to music, doing a bit of photography, reading, and
following the Formula 1 (I go for David Coiulthard and Jos
Verstappern) and Footy (Richmond Tigers). I also love spending
time with my friends and when I'm not over at their place
we're occasionally go-karting, golfing or at Pot Black (pool
tables and computer games and stuff).
After leaving high school I have
been working on my uncle's farm located not too far outside
of Albany. I have been going out there and staying on the
farm for a few days every week for about the past year. Unfortunately,
my uncle has been ill for quite some time and he was diagnosed
with a brain tumour a couple of months ago. Since finding
the tumour he has been in hospital and things aren't looking
too good for him, so the farm has kind of become my responsibility.
For the past few years the farm has been put almost completely
into blue gum trees after spending most of its life in cattle,
which is a little sad to see but at least it's good for the
environment.
I first heard about War Child in
the Radiohead film clip for Lucky (which happens to be one
of my favourite bands). At first I had no idea what War Child
was but later heard more about it on the radio one day and
thought that what War Child aims to do is really good. I have
always thought it woudl be really good to donate money to
charities like War Child and it wasn't until the Bali bombing
tragedy that I suddenly awoke to the idea.
You see, I had this tin that I got
when I was about 12 and had been throwing my loose change
into it (for about the past five years mind you!) and had
always thought that when it was full I would be a good boy
and put it all in the bank. Well at the time of these Bali
bombings my tin had just become full, and as I was watching
T.V. one day while all this was going on and a lady came on
and thanked all those who had donated money to the cause.
It was at this time that I realised that I had all this money
in my tin that I could possibly send off to some charities.
It just hadn't really crossed my mind before.
And, that is how my first donation
came to you. Although I haven't started on any new tins I
am hoping to continue donating to a few different organisations
and War Child is at the top of my list because I really like
what you are doing. For the time being I hpe that you'll be
able to put the $120.00 money order enclosed, which also comes
from my mum Sophia and sister Louise, to some good use.
Thankyou for everything. Your work
is truly appreciated by me because I know that there is someone
who cares a great deal about what they are doing and I know
that when I put my money in the envelope and send it off it
is going to land in one of the best hands possible.
Thanks again
Jason Riggs
***
In October 2003, War Child Australia State Coordinator (Vic,
SA, Tas) Jane Burren received email from a supporter who'd
attended the Melbourne launch of Kids' Night In.
She wrote:
"Simon, Martha and I had a
great time but I think I got a real buzz the following morning
when Martha was watching the news at breakfast and saw the
refugee camp that had been destroyed by Israeli tanks. She
looked at me and asked would War Child be going there to help
too?"
Martha is nine years old, and skipped school for the afternoon
to come to the launch.
***
Later that month, Jane received the following email as well:
dear Jane
IM a 10 year old female, and on the 2nd October 2003 I got
this book that support the war child program. I haven't read
the book yet but I intend to and im sure I will enjoy it.but
that is not the reason I wrote I wrote to you to see if its
possible for me to donate some money to the war child programme
but I only want to do it once.what I was wishing to do was
go around my school and ask teachers and students if they'd
like to donate some of there money and dont get me wrong I
will explain it well so that they car'nt say no.So if this
is possible please write back.
thanks for reading this im verry keen ebony xoxox
***
We thank everyone who supports War Child, either financially
or by helping to spread the word about our work.
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