:: Mask Crusaders Help to Fight Youth Homelessness

By: Carmine Pascuzzi

Australia’s leading fashion darlings and celebrities have become mask crusaders to help raise awareness and funds for not-for-profit organisation, Kids Under Cover who work to prevent youth from becoming homeless. Channel Nine’s Catriona Rowntree (Getaway) and the boys from The Footy Show, model and presenter Fuzzy, milliner Richard Nylon, designers Rosemary Masic from Nevenka, Jenny Kee, Lisa Barron, stylist Virginia Dowzer, and photographer Andy Vukosav are among the great talent that have all created one-off mask themed object d’art pieces to show their support for Kids Under Cover. The items will be auctioned with all proceeds going to Kids Under Cover.

The talented group was given a brief to create something inspired by the mask, which has had an amazing place throughout history to present day. It has played a practical role in protecting people such as soldiers and sportsmen through to performing a theatrical role to create intrigue. Our mask crusaders each had different thoughts on the mask theme but are unified in their support of the integral role of Kids Under Cover.

Chief Executive Officer at Kids Under Cover, Jo Swift said, “Kids Under Cover is absolutely delighted to have the support of so many talented Australian celebrities and fashion identities to help celebrate our 20th year. With the decline in community donations and increase in unemployment in recent times, it is more important than ever that we continue our work as the demand for our services increases.”

Kids Under Cover is committed to keeping youth off the street and believes every young person has the right to a safe secure home and a sound education and work to make this belief a reality. It provides bungalows and scholarship programs to help families stay connected and give young people a safe and stable home in which to undertake schooling and pursue their dreams. Since Kids Under Cover was founded it has helped more than 1,800 people by completing over 280 bungalow projects and implementing scholarship programs.

Catriona Rowntree said, “I'm obsessed with travel and pretty much devote my life to encouraging others to live an adventurous and courageous life but, how do I incorporate that in a mask? I hope the end result is fun and positive, kind of like the Kids Under Cover ethos. It does all it can to provide young people, who've encountered all sorts of challenges, to take a different path in life and provide them with hope for their futures. Kids Under Cover allows them to enjoy the journey.”

Nevenka designer, Rosemary Masic said, “I’m extremely sensitive towards the issue of homelessness and Kids Under Cover does such an incredible job to support this cause therefore I’m proud to be associated with such a highly esteemed charity.”

Kids Under Cover is turning 20 this year and will celebrate this milestone at the mask themed Umbrella Ball on Saturday, July 25 at the Palladium at Crown, Melbourne. It promises to be a spectacular event with superior entertainment and a stellar crowd.

A majority of the one-off mask designs will be auctioned online from June 16-30, 2009. A small selection of the designs will also be auctioned at the Umbrella Ball. For details about the Ball or to make a donation please visit here