With Mother’s Day celebrations tipped to increase economic spending, Charities are encouraging families swap in gifts for charitable donations instead.
According to recent research by Finder.com.au, Australians are expected to spend $733 million on Mother’s Day gifts and spending.
Bessie Hassan, Money Expert at Finder, said: “While not everyone buys into the commercialisation of Mother’s Day, there are plenty of ways to show your gratitude.”
To encourage donations and charitable spending, the annual Mother’s Day Classics fun run and walk kicks off across the country to raise funds for breast cancer research.
Organisations and volunteers across the country are banding together to encourage this support across a number of other Charities instead of the traditional gift.
Not-for-Profits and Charities like Vision Australia, Save the Children and Oxfam are encouraging families purchase a charitable gift with all funds going towards lifesaving treatment to mothers and children across the world.
According to Beyond Bank Australia, more than 90 per cent of households will spend more for the woman of the house, with almost two-thirds spending an extra $50.
In Montefano Hall in Smithfield, the Italian Catholic Federation held a lunch to raise money for Charities like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Braeside Hospital.
Last year, the ICF raised $18,000. This year, the organisation hopes to raise more with the help of traditional Italian desserts which volunteers have been preparing all week.
President Antonio Coleiro told The Daily Telegraph that volunteers “hope to raise more so we can make differences to people’s lives.”