Young volunteers selling Legacy badges and other fundraising merchandise will not be on our streets this year, but that doesn’t mean the need for the charity’s support has gone away. 

“The change to this year’s Legacy Week is another impact of the COVID-19 restrictions,” said Far North Coast Legacy Club President Narelle Scott, explaining that the 2020 appeal will be mostly an online event.

“Despite this change, the Legacy tradition of giving continues,” Mrs Scott added. “Tax deductible donations can be made easily online at www.legacyweek.com.au with collectible Legacy items such as badges and the popular uniformed bears available for purchase at www.legacyshop.com.au 

“The items can also be purchased at our new office in the UPA building, 101-103 Main Street, Alstonville.”

Mrs Scott said, “Legacy was founded in the wake of World War 1 when it became clear that the welfare of many families was suffering because of the serious injury or death of spouses or parents who had served in Australian military forces. 

“For nearly a century this unique Australian not-for-profit has been helping the dependents of those who died or were seriously disabled, whether physically or emotionally, whilst serving our country. Our focus is on working with the partners and children of former defence force personnel to assist with financial security, opportunities to access education, and the other things the rest of us enjoy.”

Some ‘Legacy kids’ are well known, such as Rugby commentator Gordon Bray AM whose mother raised four children in difficult circumstances after their dad suffered from war service in PNG. One of many local Legacy beneficiaries is architect Don Granatelli, whose father suffered psychological impacts from WW2, and died when Don was eight years old.  

“Times were very tough for mum in South Lismore, and if not for Legacy and repatriation support we wouldn’t have survived. Legacy helped us financially and emotionally, and there’s no way I would have gone on to uni otherwise.”

The North Coast community is being asked to support Legacy Week, Sunday 30 August to Saturday 5 September 2020. This year’s theme is Little Badge: Big Impact, meaning that even the smallest of donations will have a real impact on veterans’ families.

“Far North Coast Legacy, ranging from Kingscliff to Evans Head and west to the range, currently looks after 770 widows, many in their challenging senior years, others are younger women with children. We also help 19 people with disability and seven veterans’ families,” Narelle Scott said.

“We provide services such as advocacy support, social day trips and short holiday breaks, as well as education support and holiday camps for Legacy Youth.”

“All donations and purchases will go towards our work with local people facing hardship because of the sacrifices of their loved ones, whether in combat zones and peacekeeping missions, or from the aftermath of traumatic events. Small gifts mount up to make a big impact, and we’re hoping this online Legacy Week can be our biggest ever.”

Online donations can be made to https://portal.legacyonline.com.au/pages/donation.aspx or bank transfer to Legacy Club Services BSB 032-000 Account no 883364