It has been an incredible five years since Kathryn Rodda's inspiring pitch for Hope in a Suitcase Fraser Coast took out the Judges' Choice Award at the Community Innovators Pitch Night.

Securing $3000 thanks to Community Bank Hervey Bay, the powerful concept of packing individual suitcases for Fraser Coast children entering foster care resonated deeply with everyone in the room, and many more throughout the community.

Since then, Kathryn has not slowed down in her mission to support children in foster care.

Apart from being a long-time foster carer herself, Kathryn has established herself as a respected figure in the space, recently being recognised with an award as part of Queensland Child Protection Week.

We spoke with Kathryn to learn how Hope in a Suitcase has progressed since that important pitch in 2020.

For those who missed the pitch – what’s a quick overview of your project?

Hope in a Suitcase provides suitcases and duffle bags full of brand new items for children entering the foster care/out of home care in our region.

All of our items are brand new as we want to give them something extra special, children in these situations rarely have ever had anything brand new.

Our pitch way back in November 2020 was for funding to help us buy storage shelves and boxes so we can keep everything organised.

HOW IT STARTED: Kathryn's 2020 pitch for funding.

How are things going with the project now?

We are packing between 150-200 suitcases/bags every year (sadly each year the number grows) and deliver them to child safety service centres and fostering agencies in Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg and looking at being able to serve the Kingaroy region in the near future.

We have also been able to provide new mum/bub bags with some essentials in for mums who give birth at the Hervey Bay Hospital who are doing it tough and/or escaping domestic violence situations.

We have also been able to provide personal hygiene packs to Urangan State High School for their Wellness Program, these included a small toiletry bag filled with deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb/brush and for girls, a small pack of sanitary items in case of emergency.

How have things changed or grown since Pitch Night?

So much! I cannot believe the generosity of our small community!

Just last week I put up a post on our Facebook page about items we were needing in order to complete suitcases required and the community responded by sharing the post but also dropping off items or ordering online to be delivered straight to us so now we are able to pack those cases. 

HOW IT'S GOING: Hope in a Suitcase continues to grow on the Fraser Coast.

What impact did the funding or exposure you received through Pitch Night have on your project?

It allowed us to get started quicker and be able to serve these precious children in our community faster than if we had not received it.

This was mainly due to the exposure we received right at the very beginning of our journey here on the Fraser Coast. It definitely was invaluable!

It also allowed us to be connected with a variety of people across our community who were willing to come alongside us, such as the lovely team from the Bendigo Bank who are still one of our drop off points in town for donations (which we very much appreciate!)

Any good news stories or you’d like to share?

Due to respecting the young people's privacy, we don't actually get to give them suitcases personally, or know who they go to, but we do get feedback.

Child safety case workers have told me how much they love giving a young person one of our suitcases/bags on what is the toughest day of that child's life, and just seeing a little spark in their eyes and the wonder of opening the case and seeing all that we pack in and often asking if they get to keep it or if it's all for them.

As a foster carer myself, I have had other carers in our region tell me how lovely it is for a child to arrive at their home with a little suitcase.

While the items inside can be helpful, especially in emergency situations (such as clothes and pjs etc) it's also something that allows the child to settle a little easier because we include a night light and cuddly toys and blankets, colouring in books and journals etc that can be a little distraction for them and also help calm them.

Just knowing that we are able to do a little thing to show these precious children and young people that they are loved and they are worthy is just so amazing.