Collection for heartfelt cause

Garry Brown, Tyronne Cook, Matthew Richardson, Rhiannon Carter, Steve Tran, Windermere CEO Lynette Buoy and Dhilon Wijemanne. 111639 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

A SPRINGVALE worker has spearheaded a Christmas collection for a cause that is close to her heart.
Windermere ambassador and former Richmond footballer Matthew Richardson was on hand to collect gifts from Harvey Norman Springvale last week for Windermere’s Merry Mission appeal.
Store employee Rhiannon grew up with domestic violence.
She and her family turned to Windermere many years ago, on the brink of homelessness.
Rhiannon became a young mum, but with support has turned her life around.
“I know what it’s like to go without and I promised myself that my children wouldn’t, no kids should,” she said.
So she turned to boss Darren Harrison.
“Thousands of people struggle at Christmas time. Sometimes it’s the people you least expect,” he said.
Within 48 hours Rhiannon was inundated with gifts from colleagues, suppliers and stores within the Springvale Homemaker Centre.
Merry Mission will help ease the stress for many local families and children by providing a quality Christmas gift for each Windermere child client and food and personal care hampers for family clients.
Call Windermere on 9705 3200 or email info@windermere.org.au for more information about the Merry Mission appeal.