The team at Shingle Inn Sunshine Plaza have this year got behind the annual Day for Daniel campaign; swapping a cup of coffee or pot of tea for each donation (over $5) they receive on 30 October.
Shingle Inn Franchisee and Mum Annette Kirby said the entire team were eager to raise awareness for child safety, as they all live and work in close proximity to where the tragic abduction of Daniel Morcombe took place in December 2003.
“My own daughter, Chenise, was just a few years younger than Daniel when the abduction happened. I remember feeling horrified, knowing it could have very easily been her,” Ms Kirby recalls.
“Chenise is now a confident young woman of 21, who works alongside me as a Supervisor at the café. She is engaged to get married, and has a full and happy social life. Daniel would have also been a young man in his early 20s today, had the abduction not happened. However, he will never have the opportunities and life experiences of Chenise and their peers.”
As Daniel was on his way to purchase Christmas presents at Sunshine Plaza, the Shingle Inn Sunshine Plaza team want to acknowledge and pay tribute to his life, whilst raising funds and awareness for the Day for Daniel Foundation.
“The Foundation does an excellent job nationally in educating both children and adults about keeping kids safe through child safety and protection initiatives. It aims to help empower our children to Recognise, React and Report if they feel something is not right,” Ms Kirby said.
Ms Kirby, Chenise and the team invite local residents and guests from afar to join them for lunch or morning/afternoon tea this Friday 30 October. Shingle Inn has pledged to gift a free cup of coffee or pot of tea to anyone who donates $5 or more on the day.