FULL OF HOT AIR: Autobarn staff Terry Hunt, Sharon Hallett, Tiara Hazell, Peter Cheney are throwing their full spoort behind White Balloon Day.
AUTOBARN Orange owner Peter Cheney said if people were aware of the shocking statistics relating to child abuse then they too would support national White Balloon Day.
Child protection advocate Bravehearts is calling for registrations in Orange to support the day on Friday, September 7.
Mr Cheney said Autobarn would support the organisation financially and do everything they could to raise awareness of the issue. He said Autobarn chose the charity because it wasn’t as well known as it should be.
“We want to help raise the profile,” he said.
“If people got an understanding of the extent of the problem then they’d see there was a good reason to support the charity.”
According to Bravehearts one in five children will be sexually assaulted before their 18th birthday. Bravehearts said in 85 per cent of cases, the offender is known to the child and is a relative or friend.
Bravehearts founder and executive director Hetty Johnston said the money raised would support education, prevention and counselling programs.
“We are winning the battle one child at a time, but there’s a long way to go,” she said.
“White Balloon Day is about encouraging kids to come forward and break the silence, while we raise the necessary funds to ensure vital support networks and programs can continue.”
Mr Cheney said he was happy to support a charity run by people who are obviously passionate about the issue.
“It’s addressing a real problem,” he said.
The charity hopes to raise $500,000 for White Balloon Day. Anyone interested in supporting the cause can register at www.whiteballoonday.com.au.