The local cafe’s Do It For Dolly Day fundraiser, which will continue to run throughout May, was sparked by co-owner Amy Blades’ close connection to the cause.
“I have two younger kids myself, and it just hits home,” Ms Blades said.
“If it were them, and it happened to them, I’d be lost.”
Observed annually, Do It For Dolly Day invites Australians to ‘go blue’ to end bullying, honouring Dolly Everett, who took her own life at 14 after a long period of bullying and cyberbullying.
“I remember it happening,” Ms Blades said.
“I would hate for it to happen to anyone I knew.”
On the day, Araminta’s Tea Room took part in a fundraiser for charity organisation Dolly’s Dream and decked the store in blue to raise awareness.
“Anyone who comes dressed in blue, we’re donating so much from each of the sales,” Ms Blades said.
“We’ve got a lot of blue stuff in the fridge that we made here.
“We’ve also got a coin toss that we’re doing all month, so people can come in, throw a coin, and if they get it in the glass, they’ll get a small coffee or drink and scone.”
The cafe has a $1000 goal for its fundraiser, which can also be supported via donations in store or online.
Ms Blades said she hoped the fundraiser would help to deliver further education about the harms of bullying.
“Any little bit helps, any (donation) to help them get it out there a bit more, promote it, and hopefully get it into schools and educate,” she said.
“Getting it into schools, getting the kids more aware of what they say and how it can hurt someone.
“We don’t want to hurt people, there’s too much hurt in the world now.”
To donate to Araminta’s Tea Room’s Do It For Dolly Day fundraiser, or to learn more about the cause, visit tinyurl.com/35kwsmd3
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