The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is the leading national not-for-profit organisation working to protect children from the effects of violence and bullying.

It was set up by Walter Mikac in memory of his daughters, Alannah and Madeline, aged six and three, who were tragically killed with their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur, Tasmania on April 28, 1996.

The Foundation cares for children who have experienced or witnessed serious violence. It works to reduce the incidence of bullying, cyber bullying and other cyber risks and it advocates for the safety and wellbeing of all children.

Its programs are in one-third of Australian schools and more than 75 per cent of Australian public libraries. Its work also supports around 10,000 children in refuges or foster homes across the country every year.

Practical Parenting has teamed up with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation to shine a light on its Buddy Bags program. The charity supplies backpacks of basic essentials to children in emergency accommodation across the country. More than 85,000 have been delivered to date.

Buddy Bags are backpacks containing new and essential items, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, facewasher, pillowcase, pyjamas, socks and underwear, as well as a book, photo frame, activity kit and the all-important teddy bear.

As well as providing material aid, Buddy Bags help restore a sense of safety and security into children’s lives during this time of trauma, which is one of the vital first steps to recovery.

You can donate

A $10 donation will help by buying a teddy bear for a Buddy Bag and a $50 donation contributes to an entire Buddy Bag. But any donation is gratefully received.

Visit here to see more about how Buddy Bags help children who are desperately in need 

Read our exclusive interviews with the staff of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and the Australian children who have been helped so far.