Newlyweds Harriet and Richards Sparks love snorkelling and want to help build a better world and that’s why they decided to Do It In A Dress on Lady Elliot Island.
Harriet said they were both natural water babies who had a passion for the ocean and that’s why they decided to do their first snorkel after tying the knot on the Great Barrier Reef. They asked their wedding guests to contribute to the One Girl Do It In A Dress campaign, which supports disadvantaged girls in Africa.
“We are passionate about creating a better world for people and the planet,” Harriet said.
“We wanted our wedding to have a positive impact on the world around us, so we’ve decided to raise funds for One Girl.
“One of the biggest ways we can fight the climate crisis is to educate and empower women and girls, which is why we’ve decided to support this wonderful organisation.”
Although Harriet said she was chilly swimming in the dress and her new husband looked ridiculous in his blue-chequered girl’s school dress, they were glad they could do their part and raise money for a good cause.
“Richard was in his element in the dress,” she giggled.
“Richard and I met on the Great Barrier Reef and we really wanted to make a positive impact, so instead of a wishing well at our wedding we asked guests to donate to One Girl’s Do It In a Dress.
“Lady Elliot is the most magical place in the world and that’s why we decided to take part in the Do It In a Dress campaign there the day after our wedding.”
Harriet said the campaign would help give females more opportunities to learn and hoped this would include learning about the environment.
“Educating girls not only changes the lives of those girls, but also their families, communities and countries,” she said.
“Not only that but getting more girls in school will have a positive impact on climate change, a win-win-win!”
With the aim of raising $3000 for the Do It In a Dress campaign, Harriet and Richard have succeeded this amount and said there was still time to help.
What is Do It In A Dress?
One Girl’s Do It In A Dress campaign has run for 18 consecutive years, with the aim to raise over $500,000 to educate girls in two of the most challenging places in the world to be born a girl, Sierra Leone and Uganda.
With more than 130 million girls around the world denied access to an education, One Girl is encouraging Australian’s to sign up and support the cause in a fun and creative way – by wearing a school dress and completing a challenge by 11 October, which is International Day of the Girl Child.
Since 2011 Australians have raised almost $4 million as they surfed, hiked, cycled, snowboarded, pulled stunts and even gone to work in a dress.
One Girl chief executive Sarah Ireland said that educating girls lifts families and communities out of poverty, helps fight climate change and creates a real difference in the world.
“We are so excited to have officially launched Do It In A Dress for 2019 and can’t wait to see all the challenges Aussies complete to raise awareness!” Sarah said.
“Every dollar raised can make an incredible positive impact in a girl’s life.
“$300 for example is enough to send a girl to school for an entire year and provide her with everything she needs from books, a school bag, shoes, uniforms, and even a light by which to do her homework.”
