LES Twentyman is on a mission to keep kids in classrooms and out of courtrooms.
Mr Twentyman’s 20th Man Fund last week launched its annual Back to School program, which has helped keep more than 8000 kids from disadvantaged backgrounds stay in school since its inception in 1989.
This year, the program will help more than 300 children from over 70 secondary schools and 20 tertiary institutions, by providing financial support throughout the school year.
“We have helped kids from an assortment of backgrounds, indigenous, refugees, new immigrants, struggling families, and all have one thing in common, that is that they come from a low socio-economic environment, where the funds to buy the essentials for schooling are just not available,” program head Richard Tregear said.
“That is where our program steps in.
“Being able to help kids who would not have made it through the school system right through their school life has been one of the most pleasing aspects of my 30 years working with kids in need, and to now see these kids moving to, or graduating from university, provides me with a feeling of great pride in both the kids and the Back to School program.”
The Back to School program received $3000 from Carlton footballer Heath Scotland, who was recently fined by the AFL over his guilty plea in an assault case.
Mr Twentyman said it was important for people in the West to donate to such a worthwhile cause.
Outside of the direct contact to the fund, we get referrals from schools, youth hostels, refugee support groups, the Department of Human Services, Centrelink, even the Salvation Army, and each year have to turn away so many due to a lack of funds,” he said.
“To not be able to help so many each year is truly heartbreaking.”
