Tahlea targets $10,000 with family day at Ocean Grove

KIM WATERS
Raising $10,000 for Cancer Council Victoria seems an achievable target for 13-year-old Tahlea White.
The pint-sized Ocean Grove girl said that after a beloved uncle died from the disease she simply “woke up one day and decided to raise $10,000”.
Tahlea has already raised $1600 with months of door knocking for donations and lolly drives at school.
She hoped to make up the difference with a family fun day this weekend.
“It should be a really good day out,” Tahlea said.
“Through my door knocking and approaching businesses I’ve learnt this is a really great area and everyone is so generous and supportive.
“I’ve also met people who said ‘I’m a survivor of cancer’ or ‘I’m dealing with cancer’ and it really motivated me and showed me again why I’m doing this.”
Tahlea said her fun day from midday to 3pm at Ocean Grove Hotel would feature a silent auction, live entertainment, a jumping castle, face painting and a free glass of champagne for the first 50 adults.
But the philanthropic teen was concerned her fun day may fail to pull a crowd.
“I had a really bad dream where only 20 people turned up and I was literally sitting at the door and one family walked in and then just walked out again.”
Tahlea’s mum, Tania, was “very proud” of her daughter and co-fundraiser Georgia Ronchi.
“Now they need the community’s help, so come down and enjoy a casual Sunday lunch or just sit and let the kids be entertained.”