19 August 2019

• Marrickville Legal Centre to receive $100,000 to roll out financial empowerment program for at-risk women
• Auction has raised over $1 million for charity since 2013
• Bid for Good Lost Property Auction runs online from 19-28 August

The Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction kicks off today with thousands of items going under the hammer for charity, to assist vulnerable members of the Sydney community.

The annual event auctions off unclaimed items left in the airport’s terminals, in partnership with Sydney Community Foundation. Funds raised go towards grants supporting organisations that make a difference in the local community.

Marrickville Legal Centre, a not-for-profit community legal team, will receive a $100,000 grant from this year’s auction, to fund a financial empowerment project. The program will provide at-risk women with the skills and confidence to identify financial abuse early and seek assistance.

Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert is calling on the community to get involved and bid for good in this year’s auction.

“The annual Lost Property Auction really changes lives in our local community and it’s an initiative that I’m really proud of," Mr Culbert said.

“I’m always surprised by the treasure unearthed each year from the auction, although, in this case, one person’s treasure is another person’s path to empowerment.

“This year, the major grant will fund the roll out of Marrickville Legal Centre’s program that targets financial abuse, an important issue affecting vulnerable women in the community.”

Marrickville Legal Centre Managing Partner Vasili Maroulis said that the program will help to reduce the material and emotional impact of financial abuse.

“We’re proud to receive funding for the program, which endeavours to help women and girls develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to overcome financial abuse and gain financial literacy,” Mr Maroulis said.

“The program provides support and assistance to young women, culturally and linguistically diverse women, and women who have experienced domestic violence across the Greater Sydney region.”

Pickles Department Manager Richard White said that this year, like every year, there are a number of weird and wonderful items up for grabs.

“This year doesn’t disappoint in the quirkiness stakes! We have a two-burner hot plate BBQ, unused false eyelashes, a Betty Boop dress-up costume, a metre-tall zebra statue, pool cue and an orbital sander,” Mr White said.

“With all items starting at $1, the auction is also a great opportunity to grab a bargain on everyday items like headphones, cameras, perfumes, designer sunglasses and laptops. I think our most popular item this year will be a Dyson V10 vacuum, still in the box.”

CEO of Sydney Community Foundation, Jane Jose said that partnering with Sydney Airport has benefitted many philanthropic programs in the airport’s local community.

“This is a fun and purposeful collective giving partnership of Sydney Airport, Sydney Community Foundation and the community, delivering impact to grassroots organisations helping people in our city,” Ms Jose said.

“The need in our community is growing and we thank the many community leaders for their work and for submitting almost 100 applications for projects local to the airport.”

The Bid for Good Lost Property Auction starts on Monday, 19 August and runs until Wednesday, 28 August across nine categories. Bidding starts at 9am on the day and finishes at 8pm the following day.

Public viewing day: Tuesday, 20 August from 9am – 4pm at Pickles (20-21 Woorang Street, Milperra NSW 2214).

Additional grants will be distributed to other charities after the auction.

Visit the Pickles website to grab a bargain at the auction.