Spirit of sharing is Worldwide

The franchisees of Aussie print franchise group Worldwide Online Printing have continued the support they began in 2007, with what is becoming a regular donation to children’s charity group the Spirit of Sharing Mission, at Worldwide’s annual company conference.

Dedicated Melbournian sports coach Peter Cole’s crusade to make a difference to the lives of Fiji’s impoverished school children first touched the hearts of Worldwide’s franchisees and management at their 2007 Conference in Fiji, where they donated $2,500 to the charity.

In 2009, franchisees of the digital printing franchise and staff dug deeper. This year, they have more than quadrupled that amount, donating $11,365 from their own pockets.

The funds will be used to make sure sports equipment and clothing reach Fijian youngsters.

Cole’s tireless crusade began when he visited Fijian schools during a holiday in 2000. "It breaks your heart to see kids forced to improvise games with sticks and bottles, because their playgrounds just don't have the gear," said Cole.

"So I decided to do something about it.”

He pledged to give them more, and launched his Mission in 2001 with a call to Australian families to raid their backyards and toy cupboards for little-used and unwanted bats and balls.

By the end of 2008, the Spirit of Sharing had sent over $400,000 worth of donated sports equipment to over 160 Fijian schools and into the hands of delighted children – many of whom, until then, had never played sport with anything other than empty cans and home-made bats.

This year’s donation of over $11,000 was raised after Worldwide delegates were reminded of Cole’s efforts by the company’s conference coordinator and National Retail Manager Jan Ruzzier.

“The work Peter does with the Spirit of Sharing is so inspiring, and to be able to get Worldwide involved in supporting it has just been wonderful,” said Jan.

Peter was practically speechless when Worldwide CEO Donald MacKenzie presented the cheque. Later, Peter said, “Worldwide Online Printing did an unbelievable job at the conference to raise $11,365. I still cannot believe the generosity of the team!”

Anyone interested in making a donation to the Spirit of Sharing Mission, whether monetary or of pre-loved or new sporting equipment, can visit the Spirit of Sharing website.