By ALESHA CAPONE
WITH the cold weather settling in, wearing a scarf is a stylish and sensible suggestion – but the fashion accessory has a greater significance to Sydenham resident Natasha Bott.
Every day for the next three weeks, Ms Bott will wear a different scarf to raise funds for Open Family Australia (OPA), which provides outreach support and services to homeless and at-risk youth.
Ms Bott is taking part in the OPA’s annual 21 Challenge, which runs from 1-21 June.
The fundraising event allows participants to choose something they can do for 21 days to raise awareness of the fact that 32,000 young Australians sleep on the streets each night.
Children aged between 12-18 years old are the largest group experienceing homelessness.
“I’m definitely passionate about it, because children don’t choose to be homeless,” Ms Bott said.
Last year, she took part in the 21 Challenge by wearing two different shoes on each foot for three weeks.
“This year I want to stand out as much as possible so I’ll wear the scarves which stand out from my outfit the most,” Ms Bott said.
“I like being matching with my outfits, so not being matching will be a bit interesting.
“I’m hoping people will sponsor me and say which scarf they want me to wear.
“It is a fun way to draw attention to the cause, raise funds for kids and get people talking.
“I said this year I wanted to raise $100 and I have achieved that, so it’s great.”
Ms Bott said she would even wear the scarves to the Red Cross blood donation bank in Melbourne, where she volunteers in the canteen.
“I love it, I love working there with different people coming in and I’ll be wearing my scarf at the Red Cross and talking to people about the 21 Challenge,” she said.
Visit www.21challenge.com.au to sponsor Ms Bott.
