UGLY Dampier bartender cashes in for a good cause
Alex Taylor from Dampier Mermaid Hotel is the first bartender in Dampier to show her UGLY side for the Leukaemia Foundation’s most quirky fundraising event, the UGLY Bartender of the Year.
Standing for Understanding, Generous, Likeable You, UGLY plays on Australia’s love of contradiction and is a fun way to raise serious funds to support people with blood cancer.
Alex can be found at the Mermaid Hotel in Dampier wearing a t-shirt with ‘I’m UGLY – I need help!’ printed across the front.
“Basically, it brings attention,” Alex explained.
“Whenever I wear this t-shirt behind the bar, people say, ‘why are you wearing that for? You’re not ugly’. And I say thanks very much, do you want to put some money in my pot?”
Alex is participating in the event after seeing her friend raise $3,000 last year in the same fundraiser.
“I’ve had family that have passed away from cancer,” she said.
“Not leukemia as such, but it’s a good cause.”
“Whenever you mention Leukemia [fundraising] to any of the guys in here, they think it’s excellent and some guys are putting $50 in.”
In a packed pub, everyone except for a couple of people will donate every day, according to Alex.
To raise money, Alex has placed donation pots around the bar, set up a jellybean jar and created a blue cocktail matching the colour of the Leukemia Foundation branding.
The bartender has only been fundraising for three weeks but has already raised an incredible $2,000.
Alex’s original goal was to raise $3,000, but after the huge support from Dampier punters and with fundraising efforts to continue until November 9, Alex is raising her target to $5,000.
To reach this, she is thinking-up fundraising ideas, such as a fashion parade or a blue themed night at the pub.
Alex is also keen for your help, asking for Pilbara Echo readers to suggest fundraising ideas online at www.pilbaraecho.com.au.
Tags: alex taylor, charity, dampier, leukaemia foundation, mermaid hotel, Pilbara, ugly
