A Sunshine Coast charity dedicated to the memory of a popular surfer is marking a milestone in its mission to establish a permanent home.
SalTy Souls Legacy has put vulnerable and disengaged Sunshine Coast children, aged 5 to 17, through surfing programs since 2018.
The charity was formed to honour Moffat Beach surfer Tyler Kennedy, who tragically died while on a surf trip in Bali in 2017.
After months of fundraising, planning and the generosity of the community, council approval has now been granted to establish a headquarters in Maroochydore.
Charity founder and the sister of Tyler, Tamara Smith, was overwhelmed by this major step, which she said would make a world of difference to the children.
Until now, everything operated out of Ms Smith’s home garage and a rented shipping container in Nambour. Sometimes there was up to 120 boards in storage.
“We are at that stage now where SalTys needs its own space,” she said.
“Our garage at home has been turned into a storage space and we have a container we are renting that is out at Nambour.
“Whenever one of our kids from the program needs to change over a board or we need more, it’s a matter of driving out there.
“At any one time we have up to 120 boards in storage. We have to have different boards to match them to the children’s size and skill level.”
The new headquarters will be located onsite next to the Thrive Youth Hub on Aerodrome Road, after it was generously offered to SalTy Souls.
“To have SalTys flashed out on Aerodrome Road loud and proud, it’s amazing for us to get our cause out there,” Ms Smith said.
The Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland were integral in the space becoming reality, donating the proceeds from its 2021 Winter Solstice Swim to the charity.
“We are so grateful that Rotary saw our desperate needs,” Ms Smith said.
“We were struggling with the reality that we would have to raise $30,000 ourselves to go towards this and that (money) was not actually going to be able to go to the kids.
Two shipping containers were also donated to SalTy Souls, which will be transformed into the hub.
“One will be a fully decked out surfboard storage space that will open into a workshop space.
“The second container will be an office space and pop-up shop for our charity merch.”
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Work is anticipated to begin on transforming the containers within the next month, but Ms Smith hoped the generosity of the community will continue and called on those who can, to help with the internal fit-out.
“What we are needing from the community now is support. If any tradies can help with donating items or services for our fit-out – it’s all of the little things.”
SalTy Soul’s fully funded surf therapy programs run for six weeks and each child is gifted a repurposed surfboard and beach starter kit so they can continue their new-found love of surfing post-program.
The name refers to Tyler’s love of the ocean and always being described as a “salty soul”, with the uppercase ‘T’ to honour his name.
To help or donate to SalTy Souls visit SalTy Souls Legacy.
