If you’re reading this you are probably stuck for ideas on what to get mum for another year, choosing between another set of earrings or a framed portrait of your last family holiday.
But if your mum is anything like mine, then apparently ‘the best present of all, is the presence of family.’
This weekend you have the opportunity to also keep other women present in their families lives by raising money to help eradicate breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Awareness
Mother’s Day is not only a day to celebrate the women who have been our number one supporters, but it also provides a chance to donate to a cause that affects 1 in 8 Australian women.
Breast cancer causes eight deaths every day across the country, but the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is looking to change that, with a goal to achieve 0 deaths from breast cancer by 2030.
What can you do to spoil mum and help the cause?
Alison Bui from Design Hire Enjoy is helping achieve this goal by hosting a High Tea in the Park on Mother’s Day.
She says 100% of the proceeds will go to the NBCF, and she would love to see more students attend the event which is being held at the Old Bandstand in the Fitzroy Gardens.
Dessert will be the delicious highlight of the afternoon, with donations from Cupcake Central, Love Always Cupcakes and Brioche by Philip – Eastland.
“It is a really delicious menu with nine menu items and a desert buffet,” Bui tells upstart.
“If people want to make it a royal high tea, they can pay a little extra so it includes champagne, which is actually called ‘Mumm’ so it’s very appropriate.”
There will also be a pampering station for body and nail painting.
Prices start at $98 for a two hour session commencing at either 10am or 1pm, but students are able to receive a $30 discount.
The event is a community effort with gifts for attendees and prizes for the raffle also donated by businesses across Melbourne, and many volunteers offering a helping hand on the day.
“We’re involving as many local small businesses as possible so that we can also support Melbourne boutique businesses,” Bui says.
The high tea once started out as a personal gathering between Bui and her friends but quickly grew attention from the public.
“I wanted to do something for the general public and thought it would be even better if I do it for charity purposes rather than for my own cause,” she says.
Bui’s close friend was recently affected by breast cancer when she was in her early 30’s.
“That was a big shock, it might not seem that young for younger people, but it’s pretty young to have a scare of breast cancer,” she says.
“Hopefully as we grow older there will be more research into that area so that the chances of protection are much higher and chances of a cure as well.”
She says she supports the NBCF as they give community grants to support and fund research into the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
Online ticket sales have closed, but there is still limited space. Call Alison at DHE Events on (03) 9888 5575 or email designhireenjoy@gmail.com to book and arrange your student discount.
Cupcakes not mum’s thing?
If mum is less drawn to tea and scones and more enticed by strolling through the park and listening to live music, there is another way you can spend Mother’s Day, while still supporting the NBCF.
The annual Mother’s Day Classic raised $3.1 million for the non-for-profit organisation in 2015 and aims to raise $4 million this year.
The event is held at Alexandra Gardens and participants can complete in a 4km or 8km walk or run.
Entertainment is provided with warm up aerobics, live music, stilt walkers, clowns and balloon making and thats before you even make it to the kids zone.
There will be a wide variety of food trucks, and the Mother’s Day Classic BBQ will be on hand to provide a celebratory snag after your walk or run.
But don’t forget to come in your fancy-dress costumes as prizes will be awarded to best dressed.
The boobies are back! Loving the dress ups! #MDC2015
A photo posted by Mother’s Day Classic (@mdc_walk_run) on
Online registrations close Saturday May 7 at 8am, or you can register from 6am on Mothers Day.
Student prices start from $30, or the whole family can get involved from $75.
Not only will it be a great day out, but 100% of Mothers Day Classic fundraising goes towards the NBCF so you are also helping a good cause.
Bui emphasises the importance of donating to charity, and also spending time with family. She plans to bring her mother along to her high tea event.
“I think it’s going to be really good fun. It’s a really good opportunity to support a cause and celebrate Mothers Day as well.”
Caitlyn Leggett is a third year journalism student at La Trobe University and a staff writer for upstart magazine. You can follow her on Twitter here: @caitlynjleggett
