The extraordinary efforts of locals have seen Have Hope’s dreams come true, with their recent comedy night marked by the donation of a vital truck.
The local relief organisation held a recent fundraiser on Friday 27 June, the comedy night at the Pakenham Football Club went from laughs to shock after it was revealed the charity had secured their much-sought-after truck.
Fundraising efforts since the start of the year have been focused on purchasing a new vehicle dedicated to their delivery of food and goods to those doing it tough.
Have Hope had a target of $40,000 to buy the truck, they had so far raised $8,000
Have Hope founder Bobo Davis said she is still in shock at the donation.
“It’s unbelievable, I still can’t believe we own a truck, it will make such a difference for the community,” Bobo said.
A group of businesses, organised by auto-enthusiast and comedy facebook page Aussie Car Bogan, worked together to purchase a refrigerated truck and donate it to Have Hope Inc.
Alongside Pakenham businesses Paceys Garage, Long Haul Restorations and Custom Stainless & Seductive Detail’n, the truck was secured in just two weeks.
Murray, the Pakenham man behind Aussie Car Bogan, has been involved with Have Hope before, playing a role in their annual toy run last year.
He did not inform anyone of the donation and simply booked a table at the comedy night, where he announced it to the shocked audience.
Aussie Car Bogan explained that his inspiration for the donation was due to his personal experience falling on hard times.
The friends who helped him in that time showed the important generosity that many can provide for those doing it tough.
“Not only did these guys show me care, they gave me hope that everything will be okay,” he said on the night.
“From that day on, I always swore I would pay it forward, and if I was ever in a position to help, I would.”
Now with a platform and many connections in the community, he was able to do that for Have Hope, a group he said amazed him when he first saw the extent of work each volunteer does.
The 120-strong crowd was shocked by the announcement, alongside comedians Evan Hockings, Anna Perry and Richard Stubbs.
Before, Have Hope was restricted to renting a truck for two days a week to organise and distribute their relief program.
With this truck, they now have the freedom of transport in their vital work, all with a massively reduced cost and the ability to reach more services.
They raised about $8,000 in their fundraising efforts, now that money can go to maintain the truck and into other endeavours.
“We can now pick up food pretty much any day of the week, before we were restricted to two days a week,” Bobo said.
“We’re able to go and collect more food on more days, we just don’t have that restriction anymore.”
With a refrigerated truck, Have Hope can provide more essential fruit, veg and meat.
Bobo thanked her supporters for the tremendous donation.
“I want to thank Murray from Aussie Car Bogan for instigating it, and all the other businesses who chipped in,” Bobo said.
“It still feels so surreal, I don’t feel like it’s a real thing, it just blows my mind.”
Have Hope Inc is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday each week from 9am to 1pm at 1A Main Street, Pakenham.
You can see more at www.havealittlehope.org/
