Fundraiser for mate Matt

Donna Carrier of Wingham's  award winning café, Bent on Food, has declared her support for 'Plates for Mates', a national fundraising event held by a number of accredited Australian chefs after well-known chef Matt Golinski lost his wife and three children in a house fire on Boxing Day 2011.

The objective of the fundraiser is to raise support for Matt Golinski in light of this disaster and to raise funds for his physical recovery, as he sustained third degree burns to more than 40 per cent of his body in the fire, and remains hospitalised. 

A portion of the funds raised will be donated to The McComb Research Foundation, a charitable organisation to aid burns research.

"When I heard about the terrible tragedy I knew I wanted to help," Donna said.

"By joining with these high profile chefs I know we will be not only helping Matt, but also helping raise funds for medical research into burns care, which will help people everywhere.

"As many of our customers also wanted to help, we decided the best thing to do was to turn our planned Saturday Sounds afternoon on April 29 into a fundraiser for Matt."

Donna contacted guitar percussionist Blake Noble, who was thrilled at the chance to participate. Both he and the Ninja Stars will play out-back at Bent on Food. The specialise in unique, feel-good acoustic music which will have everyone up and dancing. They call it 'Percussive Acoustic Funk Roots'.

"This will be myy last show in Australia for a while, as the next part of my journey is in Seattle. The Ninja Stars and I are honoured to be involved with this event. If we all get together as a community and as friends, we can really help to make a difference to someone who really needs our love,", Blake says.

Restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, suppliers and even school canteens nationwide are joining 'Plates for Mates', which runs through the entire month of April.

For more information on 'Plates for Mates', or to make a donation, go to the official website www.platesformates.com.au. 

Donna's fundraiser will be held at Bent on Food on Sunday, April 29. For enquiries, contact 6557 0727.