Shop yourself stupid

Fancy some shopping or good-natured parade heckling? Two of the biggest fundraising events on the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation’s calendar are coming up in the next couple of weeks and will give charitable people a chance to do both.

Shop Yourself Stupid heads back to Oxford Street on Saturday 22 February, with crazy street entertainment, the crowning of Miss BGF 2003 and enough buying to satisfy the most vigorous shopaholic.

Getting to the heart of the Mardi Gras parade is easier than getting to the sidelines sometimes -“ and sometimes standing among the well-wishing parade watchers can be a real pain in the legs, not to mention arse.

The BGF has tiered seating to make watching this year’s parade on 1 March a pleasure -“ comfortable, entertaining, with toilet facilities and like-minded hordes.

They also include special catering stands where ticket holders can buy food and drinks, though no alcohol is allowed to be taken into the area.

Gates for the BGF stands open at 4pm and pre-parade entertainment starts early -“ building up to a full parade commentary. Ticket holders can take their reserved seats from 6pm.

Reserved seats are $75 plus booking fee, and reservations can be made at www.ticketmaster7.com or by calling 131 600.

There is also a way to join the cool gang in the reserved seating stands which will allow for comfort and compassion. Those people who volunteer to help out at BGF for more than six hours will be given a reserved seat. People who volunteer for four hours can march with the Foundation in the parade.

BGF’s volunteer coordinator Marcus Blease said the foundation would not survive without the hard work of volunteers. He estimated 500 would be needed for the two months prior, during and post-Mardi Gras season.

Blease said volunteers worked in collecting cash, event organising, mailing out, driving, stage-handing, setting up, ticket collecting and just about everything else.

Summer brings in more fundraising for us than any other time, and it is really important for people to know just how much we rely on them donating their time. Even just a few hours makes a huge difference, he said.

We simply couldn’t put these events on without the participation of our volunteers.

To volunteer for BGF call Marcus on 9283 8666, or freecall 1800 651 011. Volunteers can also register online at www.bgf.org.au/volunteers.htm.