One of the Sunshine Coast’s most highly regarded philanthropists, Neil Badcock, has joined forces with DV Safe Phone by helping to deliver more safe phones to victims of domestic violence (DV) this Christmas.
CEO and Founder of DV Safe Phone, Ashton Wood, gratefully accepted a cheque for $50,000 from Mr Badcock and the N Badcock Foundation, after he toured the DV Safe Phone head office in Mooloolaba this week.
Mr Badcock, a former farmer, started the N Badcock Foundation to help people in need and said he was pleased to have established a partnership between the two organisations.
“I am really impressed at the scale of community impact Ashton has achieved in such a short time, as well as his genuine motivation to help those vulnerable to domestic abuse,” Mr Badcock said.
Mr Wood attributes the success of DV Safe Phone to the community partnership model upon which the charity was founded. This model aims to inspire and empower individuals, groups and businesses to help break down barriers for victims to access emergency and crisis support.
“This amazing gift from Mr Badcock comes at a critical time as Christmas can be a time filled with fear and uncertainty for those most vulnerable in our community,” Mr Wood said.
“It is also a time of increased and often escalated episodes of domestic and family violence, many of which are witnessed by children and loved ones in the home.’’
“I’ll be honest, Mr Badcock’s gesture moved me to tears, because it means I can now bring on skilled phone technicians to repair and replace screens and parts on phones currently sitting idle on our shelves. Phones that can now potentially save the life of someone in need.’’
“For you and I, having access to a working mobile phone at Christmas means connection to family, friends, loved ones… and selfies,’’ Mr Wood said.
‘’For a victim of domestic violence, having access to a phone could literally be the difference between living with, or breaking free from a life sentence of abuse in the year ahead.”
Mr Badcock is encouraging others to also consider the gift of giving this Christmas – no matter how large or small.
‘’It brings me great joy to see my philanthropy directly funding these skilled positions which enables DV Safe Phone to process and deliver even more phones each week,” Mr Badcock said.
“To be able to make this donation in time for Christmas makes it all the more satisfying.”
“It feels good knowing funds will translate directly to more lives being supported through this fabulous community-driven initiative.”
To find out more about ‘DV Safe Phone’ and to pledge your support for victims in need, please visit www.dvsafephone.org
