DINA GETOVA
My Community Legal has begun a fundraising initiative in partnership with three Gold Coast universities to help provide free legal services for people experiencing financial hardship.
The legal centre is working with Griffith University, Bond University and Southern Cross University to raise money through a series of community events.
My Community Legal (MCL) is a Gold Coast-based legal centre with offices in Robina and Southport, that provides free legal services for people who may otherwise not be able to afford it, including young people, those experiencing homelessness, Indigenous Australians, and people experiencing domestic violence.
MCL treasurer George Pharmacis said because the free legal service was not government funded, the centre relied on the support of the local community to help them provide their service.
“MCL assists disadvantaged community members on the Gold Coast by providing legal advice,” Mr Pharmacis said.
He said the legal centre was going ahead with their fundraising events despite COVID-safe restrictions.
“[COVID-19] has not deterred MCL from approaching the local Gold Coast community for financial assistance,” Mr Pharmacis said.
Fundraising activities being run to help MCL include an end-of-year raffle organised by the three universities, an Annual General Meeting and networking drinks night organised by Bond University, and two Bunnings sausage sizzles, one organised by Griffith University and the other organised by Bond University.
Mr Pharmacis said the first sausage sizzle, which was run by Griffith University’s Law Students Association on September 6, had been a success, raising $1153 for the legal centre.
Griffith University Law Students Association education vice president Sarah Penfold said the association had worked with MCL to organise the Bunnings sausage sizzle as well as prizes for the end-of-year raffle.
“The Griffith Law Students Association recently collaborated with My Community Legal to host a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle – hopefully the first of many,” Ms Penfold said.
“We raised [about] $1,100, with thanks to all volunteer lawyers and students who came along to help,” she said.
Ms Penfold said the Griffith LSA would continue to partner with MCL for the end-of-year fundraiser raffle, to be drawn in mid-November.
“We are currently gathering prizes for our end of year raffle,” she said.
“Tickets are available on Raffle Link – keep an eye on MCL’s Facebook page for the details.”
If you would like to help support MCL you can purchase a raffle ticket, buy a sausage from the Bond University sausage sizzle at Bunnings Arundel on October 31, or purchase a ticket for the AGM night on November 13.
For more information about My Community Legal and their services, visit their website.