3CER dash across line wins for kids

Generosity: ACT’s Lisa Grant holds the cheque while her collegues Rachel Kathage and Jodi Hamilton stand with CO 3CER Lt-Col Glenn Stockton. XO Maj Adam Boyd holds Woolly the dingo.Photo by Sgt Troy Rodgers

By Lt Mick Silvestri

MILITARY minds have engineered a financial victory for charity during 3CER’s recent Exercise Dash for Cash.

The sappers raised $27,580 for Queensland’s Abused Child Trust (ACT) during the three-day exercise, scouring the hotels, retail outlets, markets and streets of Townsville as part of their annual effort to raise money for the Regiment’s adopted charity.

Planning, teamwork, and tactics were central to 3CER’s success. The use of static and roving teams ensured the city was well and truly canvassed. The regiment’s engineering plant machinery and even the regiment’s mascot Woolly the dingo were pressed into service at the static collection points, ensuring the exercise had maximum visibility and interaction with the local population.

ACT’s Program Manager Lisa Grant said her organisation valued its relationship with 3CER highly. “We see the affiliation as a clear demonstration of the community working together in partnership to help keep families and children safe,” she said.

The ACT is a state-wide charityproviding free therapy and counselling to children and young people who have been harmed or are at risk of harm. 3CER’s fund raising involvement with the ACT helps to reduce the charity’s annual funding shortfall for the Townsville region. 3CER also supports the ACT’s mentoring programme.