Pro surfer Tom Carroll: Be Centre fundraiser to help children in need

The Newport local is an ambassador for Be Centre, a Warriewood charity that specialises in play therapy for children.

The charity is keen to raise funds and awareness for the work it does helping children who are experiencing trauma, and it's keen for the community to take part.

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CEO Michelle Carlyle said it's easy to get involved, raise funds and be in with the chance to win some great prizes, including a surf lesson with former pro surfer Tom Carroll.

All you need to do is dress up your letterbox, in a theme of your choice, and register it with Be Centre.

Ms Carlyle said not only is it fun for the family, but it will brighten your local streets and help raise awareness of the charity's work.

"Be Centre is a charity that is dedicated to play therapy," she said. "Play therapy is something that helps children to communicate through their struggles. It helps children impacted by trauma.

"Play is a child's natural language. Play is how children communicate between the ages of three and 12, especially the younger ones who don't have the cognitive development to say what's happening and they can do it safely through play."

Mr Carroll has been a Be Centre ambassador for five years, and said there is a need in the community for this type of therapy.

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"When I saw what was going on here and the need to help kids who lose their voice I wanted to help," he said. "I wanted to see kids get benefit from something like this, it's just so heartwarming.

"It just makes so much sense play therapy for kids, and it offers the brain a new pathway and it's incredibly clear it works."

Ms Carlyle said play therapy can help children with psychological, social, emotional or behaviour problems. It is not as well known in Australia as it is in other parts of the world, but she's keen for that to change.

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"We want it to be more recognised as an intervention, particularly as an early intervention," she said.

The Letterbox Dress Up campaign runs from October 25-31 and the prizes will be drawn on November 1.

Be Centre receives no government funding and all money is raised through fundraising and grants helps children in need of therapy.

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