Fairy important tip: Keep your eyes open when this fundraiser comes to Goulburn

A fairy fun event is set to kick off soon – and it’s all to raise money for a charity that supports Goulburn residents.

From 25 September to 13 October, the Lilac Fairy Hunt will give participants a chance to search for fairies hidden around the city.

Cystic Fibrosis Goulburn and District social media and communications officer Vanessa Shipway said although the hunt hadn’t started yet, there had been strong community support.

“People have been very generous, and businesses have been really involved,” she said.

“Those fairies are placed around Goulburn, in supporting businesses.

“They’re also going to be at Belmore Park and Victoria Park.”

The Lilac Fairy Hunt doubles as a fundraiser organised by Cystic Fibrosis Goulburn and District.

Formed in the 1970s, the charity supports people living with the illness in the Goulburn Mulwaree and Upper Lachlan region.

During the hunt, participants will keep an eye out for the fairies, which have been made by primary and preschool students, P&C members, Gill Waminda Aged Care and a local sewing school, Keeping In Step Sewing.

“The fairies were all made by individuals,” Ms Shipway said.

“Some of them are 2D cardboard cutouts, some of them are knitted or crocheted, and I think one’s even made out of clay.

“I wasn’t expecting quite that much diversity, but I did want people to be as creative as possible as they made the fairies.”

Ms Shipway said it was heartwarming to see the participating schools and businesses coming together.

“It’s been great to see the community involvement, see everyone getting together like they have,” she said.

“The childcare centres especially were really happy to help out!”

Participants will also go into the draw to win a range of prizes donated by businesses.

“When we hold fundraisers, that money goes to supporting those in the community with cystic fibrosis,” Ms Shipway said.

“That might mean they can get medication that they need, or we can donate a holiday or something like that.

“We also donate the money to Cure4CF [the Cure4 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation], which is looking for a cure for cystic fibrosis, so we contribute to medical research as well.”

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and other organs, and there is no cure.

Ms Shipway said the business and community support was because of the charity’s long history in the wider Goulburn region.

“We’ve been around since the ’70s,” she said.

“I think it’s the fact we’ve been really established in the community that makes people keen to support us.”

The Lilac Fairy Hunt is being run in cooperation with the Goulburn Lilac City Festival.

“I reached out to the Lilac City Festival because I thought that we would be a perfect fit,” Ms Shipway said.

“They’ve been really helpful and supportive of us.”

Ms Shipway had simple advice for participants: keep your eyes peeled.

The Lilac Fairy Hunt will be held in Goulburn from 25 September to 13 October.

Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased from the Goulburn Information Centre, 201 Sloane St, Goulburn.