SUNBURY mother of two Alison Bant is spearheading a campaign to raise money for nine-year-old Felicity Costin, who has a severe form of autism.
A part-time teacher and small business operator, Ms Bant runs Sugar and Spice Children's Market in Woodend and has decided to donate all profits from the market to charity agencies.
She hopes to make a $500 profit from next month's market and the money will be donated to Felicity, a step-daughter of Ms Bant's friend.
The money will go towards Felicity's education program.
"I want to support local charities and local children's charities if possible... I'm looking at more personalised, individual, regional-based charities."
Stallholders selling items such as children's toys, clothes, handmade cards and jewellery are involved in the market.
"It's about showcasing their wares and local talent."
Ms Bant, who organised her first market in June, said she was inspired by such markets held in Melbourne.
"I went to a beautiful children's market in Melbourne and loved it, but I was thinking rural families miss out so much on this sort of thing. I thought rural families deserved to have something like this as well, so that's where the idea came from.
"I didn't want to profit from it so I decided that I would donate the profits to charity.
"I've had people ask if I'm insane, but personally it's extremely rewarding. I just love doing it. I find it wonderful, I really love supporting small businesses in the area and being able to help a cause.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's a win-win. If you're a stallholder there or if you're a shopper you're still supporting local charities."
Ms Bant said it took her about eight months to establish the market as she looked for a perfect location.
"Woodend is a beautiful town so that was definitely appealing. Also, it had the lovely St Ambrose Hall.
"It has that beautiful big Apex children's park and that's right near the hall. Woodend's very family friendly and it's also very central to most of the Macedon Ranges."
Ms Bant, who spends about 20 hours a week organising the market, is looking for a bigger venue for a Christmas market.
She hopes to run the market every three months.
Ms Bant said said she wanted to boost local tourism, encouraging stallholders to spend the weekend in the area.
"At the June market I had stallholders from Bendigo, Geelong, Ballarat, Melbourne and local ones," she said.
"For this market [next month] we've got an accommodation package at Campaspe House, so hopefully people who are travelling will want to make a weekend of it.
"We hope to encourage people to dine at local restaurants and see the area."
At each market, there are 'goodie' bags for the first 100 people through the door.
The next market is on September 12 at St Ambrose Hall, Woodend.
Details on traders: visit http://sugarandspicechildrensmark et.blogspot.com/
To suggest a charity, email sugarandspicemarket@gmail.com
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