Two dollars doesn’t buy a coffee, but it’s all Port Adelaide president Brett Duncanson will have to live on each day next week, as he joins a national effort putting the spotlight on global poverty.
Brett has signed up to Live Below The Line, agreeing to spend just $10 to feed himself for the five days between Monday 7 and Friday 11 May - and he’s called on Power and Magpies members and supporters to sponsor him or even join the challenge themselves.
It won’t be easy, but Brett and thousands of participants around Australia have committed to the cause to raise money to support The Oaktree Foundation and its mission to deliver education programs to help our region’s poorest people rise out of poverty.
“I know it’s going to be hard, but when you hear that more than one billion people live below the extreme poverty line around the world, it’s not much of sacrifice to do it a little bit tough and hopefully help to make a difference,” Brett said.
“By the standards most of us in our community are lucky enough to live by, $2 doesn’t pay for a can of drink or a bottle of water,” Brett said.
“But it’s the Australian equivalent of what millions of people around the world have to live off every day of their lives, not just for a five-day challenge. When you think about that, you can’t be complaining.
“We are very lucky and this is a meaningful way of reminding ourselves of just how good we’ve got it and at the same time doing more to help those who aren’t as blessed as we are.”
In 2012, Live Below The Line will raise money to build schools, train teachers and fund scholarships for needy children in Papua New Guinea. The Oaktree Foundation focuses its work in the Asia Pacific region.
“Thankfully, I’ve got some people around me who are also taking part, including fellow Port Adelaide director Mick O’Connor,” Brett said.
“They know what it takes and they will keep me on track. It will be interesting to see how far I can make a couple of dollars a day go. They tell me with a bit of thought it’s amazing how far you actually can make that amount stretch.”
Port Adelaide’s joint major partnership with Australia’s leading food relief relief charity Foodbank has helped spotlight the issue of hunger in our own community. Live Below The Line provides an additional opportunity to help the global effort.
To sponsor Brett, click HERE. Every dollar counts and the Port Adelaide Football Club appreciates your support.
To join him on the Live Below The Line challenge, or to find out more click HERE and visit livebelowtheline.com.au
