If someone calls you ‘ugly’ it would normally be an insult but staff at Jarrahdale Tavern are encouraging it next month in the name of charity.
In this case U.G.L.Y stands for Understanding, Generous, Likeable, You.
Bartenders across the country will be taking part in the Leukaemia Foundation’s U.G.L.Y Bartender of the Year competition with an aim to raise funds to provide a home away from home for those facing blood cancers like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Jarrahdale Tavern general manager Linda Peyton said she decided to take part in the fundraiser as the disease had recently affected someone close to her.
“We have all been touched by someone that has had cancer in some form but with my best friend Meredith’s mother being diagnosed with blood cancer I wanted to take part and raise funds,” she said.
“We haven’t gone as far as event planning but we promote the cause over the bar to our patrons and have a collection tin. Hopefully I can convince someone to shave their head or colour their hair in a crazy colour to raise additional funds.”
Ms Peyton said she hoped the tavern could raise at least $560 which would cover seven days of accommodation for those in regional areas who have to travel for treatment.
Leukaemia Foundation chief executive Bill Petch said the U.G.L.Y Bartender of the Year competition is the country’s biggest hospitality charity fundraiser, which has so far raised $13 million to provide more than 160,000 nights of accommodation for regional Australians forced to relocate to capital cities for life-saving treatment.
“This vital support takes away from the financial and emotional burden of finding and paying for accommodation, allowing them to focus on the most important thing which is getting well,” he said.
To donate to Jarrahdale Tavern visit the Leukaemia Foundation’s ugly bartender website.
