YOUTURN AMBASSADORS DELIVER CHRISTMAS CHEER TO STRUGGLING LOCAL FAMILIES

Youturn Youth Support are excited and proud to announce their first official Ambassadors, Sam and Tim Aitken from Sametime, local talented musicians who grew up here on the Sunshine Coast. And putting the duo brothers to work today delivering Christmas gifts, hampers and some Christmas cheer to families in need, was the first order of business.

Before heading off to deliver more presents, Tim Aitken commented: “What an awesome way to kick off our role as Ambassadors of Youturn, than being able to see the excitement and delight on children’s faces as we arrive at their door with these gifts. It can certainly turn your day around! What a great gig!”

Despite their rising status and signing a long-term deal with publishing giants Sony/ATV, Tim and Sam realise how fortunate they are and are committed to doing more and giving back to their local community.

Talking about their recent appointment as Ambassadors, Sam and Tim agreed that helping their local community was important and something they would really like to continue. “We did our research and we loved that Youturn is a local, grassroots charity who are focused on supporting young people on the Sunshine Coast. They have a passionate team, who are really dedicated to making a difference to the vulnerable people in their care. As artists and musicians, we hope to use our time and talent to help raise Youturn’s profile and the work they are doing.”

“With their well-known profile amongst young people here on the coast, Sametime are the perfect fit for connecting with youth in our region”, said Youturn’s CEO, Andrew Anderson.

“As part of our Ambassador agreement, we are in discussions and working on various exciting initiatives and events including the “Youturn It Up” concert which will be held in the April holidays during Youth Week, all to help raise awareness, as well as funds for our various causes,” commented Mr Anderson.

“We could not be prouder to have Sametime on board, and we look forward to a great working relationship and an exciting line-up of activities… so watch this space!”, Mr Anderson said.

Playing together for more than half their lives, Sam and Tim have become a staple in the Sunshine Coast live scene – playing over 300 shows since they were 13 years old, including slots at Bluesfest, the Caloundra Music Festival and a multitude of charity events each year. In 2016, whilst in their tweens, they raised $20,000 for two local families with sick children.

This Christmas, Youturn has been amazed by the generosity of community partners, organisations and church groups, whose members have selflessly gifted close to 200 presents, food hampers and several dining and entertainment experiences for young people and families in need.

“We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to all our donors and supporters, who have banded together in the spirit of Christmas, despite their own struggles this year, to ensure our young people and families can experience joy and hope this festive season.

There is still time – if you want to join Youturn’s Christmas Appeal, go to https://youturn.org.au/how-you-can-help/get-giving-for-christmas-christmas-campaign/ www.youturn.org.au

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Notes to the Editor:

Youturn Youth Support (formerly United Synergies) is a not-for-profit based at Tewantin that was started 30 years ago to help address youth homelessness in the Noosa region. Since then, the organisation has grown substantially working with young people and those that support them, expanding their focus to include Child Safety, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and of course Homelessness.

Their humble beginnings started as a Youth Homelessness grass roots project in 1989 which was officially launched by 5 volunteers supporting six young people. They have grown significantly since then to work at 14 locations across Southern Queensland with a staff base of 160 employees and last year helped over 8,000 young people.