Four-year-old twins Isla and Siena have helped raise more than $1000 for drought relief while also bringing a smile to many faces on a dismal weekend.
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It all started when their mum Emma Tognolini, of Woolooware, explained a TV report on the drought.
“They ask a lot of questions, and I told them ‘the cows need some food, and we have to help the farmers feed them’,” she said.
Further discussion led to the idea of raising money for the farmers by setting up a flower stall outside their home.
Ms Tognolini, a fourth generation florist, spoke to her mother, who is retired but is still a frequent visitor to the flower markets at Flemington.
They soon had many generous donations of flowers, and, despite the forecast of bad weather, the stall was set up yesterday (Saturday).
Ms Tognolini said the response was amazing.
“With just one post on social media, we took more than $1000 in a day, and everyone was so happy to give,” she said.
Bunches of flowers were all priced at $10, but some buyers gave more.
Ms Tognolini said the money was being donated to the Buy A Bale campaign
“They were very happy when I contacted them,” she said. “They said it would buy 10 large bales of hay.”
Ms Tognolini said she was very impressed with the girls’ effort.
“They sat out the front for seven hours,” she said.
“Craig and I really work hard to instill empathy in our kids – the girls have younger brothers Buddy and Dusty.
“Yesterday was just another way of letting them understand that we need to help people regardless of how good our life is.”
