AN online auction set up in North Queensland raised over $30,000 for Dolly’s Dream foundation in just 30 hours.
Australian Working Dog Stock Magazine publisher Wayne Flintham said rural Australians had dug deep to support the fundraiser, with the weekend auction netting $33,610 for the charity.
Mr Flintham, of Woodstock, said he was blown away with the result, which was far beyond what he had anticipated.
“We put the call out on Thursday and by Friday night we had 74 lots,” Mr Flintham said.
“It started off with working dog people, then rural businesses jumped on board to donate and several leading stallions were offered up for service.
“It was predominantly donations from rural Australia, just people putting their hand up to help out and everyone got behind it an supported us.
“I though it would be low-key, maybe a couple of grand, so I want to give a massive thanks for all who supported us and those who bided.”
Dolly’s Dream was established by bullying victim Amy “Dolly” Everett’s family following the 14-year-old’s suicide on January 3.
It was Mr Flintham’s second fundraising event for a mental health related charity, after he conducted a series of working dog school’s across Australia last year to raise $62,953 for Beyond Blue.
He said fundraising for Dolly’s Dream was a natural extension of the previous fundraiser.
”While this was a bullying, I think there’s some potential mental health learnings as well,” Mr Flintham said.
”It is something I thought we should get behind and the people of rural Australia have jumped on board as well.”
Mr Flintham said he hoped the funds could help Dolly’s Dream to deliver the anti-bullying message to schools.
”I think there’s the potential for another auction, maybe that’s a challenge to set out to corporate rural business,” he said.
“If a bunch of working dog people could raise that amount, just think what people with a few more resources could do.”