2020 has delivered a number of challenges for not-for-profits across Australia, including Blue Datto. COVID-19 and resulting health restrictions forced the cancellation and postponement of many Keeping Safe programs, particularly in Terms 2 and 3. Our income also suffered as we were unable to run community fundraising activities and some of our funding partners were not in a position to support us as they had in previous years. 

Thankfully there is always light at the end of the tunnel and reduced health restrictions have recently enabled us to recommence Keeping Safe programs in schools! This term alone we will deliver 14 Keeping Safe programs to approximately 2220 Year 10 students. And we’re pleased to report more bookings are coming in for the new year! This has included some new programs at Cecil Hills High School, Cherrybrook Technology High School as well as a number of schools who have run a Keeping Safe program each year.   

We were also able to use the COVID period to review and re-energise our Keeping Safe program content and resources, including a new online Pledge and filming a new version of ‘Phil’s Story.’ The ‘Phil’s Story’ video is also the Vassallo family’s story, and an important opportunity for us to remind people of WHY Blue Datto exists, and HOW we can all play a role in preventing other families experiencing such never-ending pain.

If you haven’t already seen ‘Phil’s Story’ please watch it here.

With thanks to the ongoing support of WestConnex we were also able to develop a new online program that will be launched early 2021. The online program will complement Keeping Safe and provide a valuable learning opportunity for those young people who don’t currently have access to the face to face program, and also to reinforce learning outcomes from Keeping Safe. We’re so grateful for WestConnex supporting us in this way.

We’re also pleased to confirm that Western Sydney Airport has come onboard as a new program sponsor. Through their sponsorship Western Sydney Airport will directly sponsor a number of Keeping Safe programs in the region, and we’re thankful for their support.