How you can help twice as many people with disabilities in sports

If you’re looking to help people with disabilities in Australia get active and stay fit, the Double Donation Day might be your best shot at a feel-good inclusivity boost.

The Beyond Bank charitable arm — Beyond Bank Australia Federation are holding Double Donation Days on May 23 and 24 to support 16 nominated charities around Australia, including Disability Sports Australia (DSA), which DSA will put towards disability focused sport and recreation initiatives.

Over the course of two days, DSA’s loyal network of supporters will have their donations to the Beyond Bank Australia Foundation matched up to $10,000 dollars on a dollar-to-dollar basis.

Kristy Rohrer, National Program Manager of Activate Inclusion Sports Days at Disability Sports Australia says that the event will do a world of good for the future of the DSA.

”We are thrilled to be selected as one of the charities to benefit from Beyond Bank’s Double Donation days. This event will help us to continue our work in promoting inclusion and participation in sport for people living with disability,” says Ms Rohrer.

The Beyond Bank Australia Foundation connects with not-for-profit organisations around the nation to ensure that they have the support they need to grow and prosper. On the two days, supporters can donate a tax-deductible amount that will be allocated to DSA. Tax-deductible? How good is that?! 

After the two days, this amount will be matched by Beyond Bank. Beyond Bank will announce the final fundraising results after the campaign. Once the final number is tallied (and doubled), DSA will use the funds in its various community programmes to support people with disability to be active.

The Foundation and Community Development program have contributed more than $27 million to programs and community groups across various causes. In the past 12 months alone, the organisation has partnered with 54 community groups across the four focus areas — affordable housing, aged support, financial well-being and disability support — contributing over $400,000 to help provide services and programs that deliver these services. Over the past two years, the Foundation has put $550,000 back into the community initiatives over 46 different organisations.

Earlier this year, Deceased Estates Officer, Caitlin, shared her own experiences as an employee at Beyond Banks and attested to disability inclusivity being highly valued within the company.

“Dyslexia brings many gifts – imagination, abstract and critical thinking, and an innate ease at connecting with others,” she says.

“Having to complete the legal processes for a deceased estate is undoubtedly a stressful situation for anyone experiencing loss, so my talents from dyslexia help me empathise and steer my way through sensitive conversations with customers.”

Caitlin’s role requires her to work with customers to process and finalise deceased family members’ assets. It’s a job that requires empathy, resilience and skilful navigation through difficult conversations at an emotional time.

“At every part of the process from interview to getting my job, Beyond Bank has made me feel comfortable about asking for help,” Caitlin says.

“I have the tools to help the people I am serving to the best of my ability and can be myself without fear of judgement. That is [an] incredibly freeing. I feel like I have people who want to develop my skills, so that I can use all my talents and reach my full potential.”

For more information and to donate on the two days, follow the link: www.beyondbank.com.au/donate