Fundraiser: Rhianna Hobbs with an auction item.
Andrew Mathieson
TYPICALLY shedding a tear from those perpetual World Vision appeals every year just wasn’t enough for Rhianna Hobbs.
To influence the lives of HIV positive African babies destitute to spend a childhood alone got her compassionate side thinking.
“What gets me the most is when you watch World Vision ads on TV,” Rhianna says.
“For a lot of people think they’ll sponsor them, give them money but for me, I think that’s excessive advertising.
“I use to think how much of my money is getting there and how much is paying for that spot on prime-time telly.
“That sort of sparked me to go in for myself to make sure I am putting my effort into actually doing something.”
The Deakin University student is aiming to raise thousands of dollars for Kenyan and Tanzanian orphanages this Friday night at the Eureka Hotel.
The 23-year-old will also live out her ambition to volunteer in the world’s most poverty-stricken countries when she travels to Africa in the new year.
A range of sporting memorabilia and action-packed experiences including hot-air ballooning and swimming with dolphins will be auctioned to bidders with a deep social conscious only matched by the size of their wallets.
The proceeds will purchase basic medical and teaching supplies for two popular orphanages where most children are abandoned after their parents die from AIDS.
“They’re the ones who are mostly left behind in the orphanages because there is still the stigma,” Rhianna says.
“I haven’t even met them yet and already I don’t want to leave.”
Tickets can be purchased for $15 on 0433 267 380 or pay $20 at the door, which includes free beer, wine and champagne between 8.00 and 9.30pm.
