Dare to Wear Day

DARE TO WEAR DAY 30 MARCH 2012

SHOW YOUR COURAGE AND HELP BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR WOMEN IN AUSTRALIA

The courage and conviction that characterises so many vulnerable women experiencing disadvantage will be applauded and celebrated next month on Dare to Wear Day, Friday 30 March 2012.

Designed to raise awareness and funds for women 'doing it tough', Dare to Wear Day will see families, friends and colleagues challenge each other as individuals and groups to be bold and wear something fun or outrageous.

Dare to Wear Day is the first online fundraising campaign of its kind in Australia, organised by not-for-profit organisation Fitted for Work. The campaign, in its second year, hopes to raise a national total of $120,000, with 100% of the funds directed towards the services offered by Fitted for Work.

Fitted for Work, CEO, Jane Hunt says Dare to Wear Day is all about recognising and appreciating the immense courage required to step out of your comfort zone and make a change.

"Fitted for Work helps women experiencing disadvantage to get work and keep it. We provide the means but it's the women who find the courage to put themselves forward for interviews after many setbacks," said Ms Hunt.

"By dressing up for one day, participants get to experience the feeling of being out of their comfort zone. It's the small things we often take for granted - like the confidence to turn up for work every day or to go for a job interview - that many of these women find so difficult."

Since 2005, Fitted for Work has transformed the lives of more than 6,500 women by providing free interview appropriate clothing and transition to work and mentoring programs. In 2011, Fitted for Work assisted 2,584 women to gain employment and change their lives for the better.

Each day, volunteers and staff from Fitted for Work help women who are truly vulnerable to overcome their obstacles and secure employment. Despite the hardship these women have experienced, they all have an overwhelming degree of courage and conviction that defines them as inspirational individuals.

Angela's story is a typical example of the impact that nurturing and guidance from Fitted for Work has on individuals seeking positive change. Angela lived with a foundation family and sadly lost her mother to cancer at the age of just 10. From this time onwards, Angela, along with her three sisters and brother went separate ways and lived as Angela describes, a 'tough' life. Angela was looking for anyone who could give her the opportunity to prove herself as a capable individual. Through the help of the team at Fitted for Work, Angela regained her self-esteem and confidence to put her best foot forward at job interviews. After one month, she secured her ideal job and has never looked back.

"It's the courage of women like Angela that keeps us all motivated to keep up our work and it is this same courage that we hope to see emulated on Dare to Wear Day as people choose to dress up and help change the lives of women in Australia experiencing disadvantage," says Ms Hunt.

The national fundraising event is open to men, women and children of all ages who are game enough to visit work, school, uni or the local shops wearing wigs, costumes, stripes or any other combination imaginable.

"We know a number of courageous employees are planning on daring their boss to dress up on the day. We hope they take up the challenge!" said Ms Hunt.

To get involved, participants can register online as an individual or as a team. There are three easy steps to take in order to be part of the big day:

1) Agree on the dare

2) Register the dare online

3) Collect donations.

Fundraising can begin as soon as registration is complete and funds can be collected until 13 April. Each online donation produces an automatic receipt for sponsors and in turn helps fundraisers keep track of their donations.

For more information and to get involved, visit the website www.daretowearday.org or visit the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/fittedforwork