Support our Wonderful Upcycling Program ladies

I’m always amazed by the things people in our local community do to support others and I am genuinely inspired by their efforts, commitment and dedication.

There are none more so who fit that bill than the ladies who make up the Wonderful Upcycling Program, which was brought together by Inez Ruyter who decided to combine her love for friends, sewing, environmentalism and community to create this initiative.

Sourcing fabric destined for landfill, the WUP ladies repurpose it into beautiful, functional items such as tote bags, aprons, cushion covers and more. They sell these items at the Central Ringwood Community Centre on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 10 am to 12 pm.

Inez and friends get to enjoy a sense of community (the ladies stitch together) and purpose; we get beautiful, hand-made, long-lasting fabric articles; our local charities get a leg up; and our environment gets the love it deserves!

Was there ever such a beautiful win-win?

I have promised the WUP ladies the use of my stall at the Maroondah Festival on 9 November to sell their creations.

But, to keep doing what they do so well, and so selflessly, they need our help to buy five high-quality sewing machines to continue their great work.

What's equally impressive about these ladies is that the money WUP raise will in-turn all go to local charities, specifically, helping local victims of family violence.

The sewing machines the ladies need cost $500 each. I have set up a fundraiser for WUP and have kickstarted the campaign by donating $100 myself.

And now I appeal to you to help these awesome, motivated and creative women in this tremendous initiative. Open your heart to Inez and her superhero friends – and see the magic unfold at my stall at Maroondah Festival on 9 November. I promise you; you won’t be disappointed!

Please, if you can, $1, $2, $20, $50 or $1000, every single cent will go to WUP and the effort to buy 10 new machines!