Local Teens Fundraise for Friend’s Foundation

The Foundation would like to acknowledge Briony Skinner for allowing the reproduction of her article. 

Local Teens Fundraise for Friend’s Foundation

Briony Skinner

A group of local teenagers have written and produced a short film on DVD in an effort to raise funds for the Matthew Stanley Foundation.

The idea initially came about when a group of Matthew’s friends wanted to do something “for Matt,” said Lucas Clentsmith, one of the boys involved in the fundraising endeavour.

“We thought that if we made this money, we should give it to the Stanley Foundation,” he said.

Clentsmith estimates they have sold sixty discs already and are constantly receiving requests for more.  He says so far they have raised approximately $500 to contribute to the Foundation.

The 30 minute DVD focuses on four young surfers, the ‘Toxic Infants’, as they search for surf in their local neighbourhood.  It features extensive surfing footage of the four main characters.

Matthew’s father Paul is thrilled about the initiative taken by the teenagers.  “It’s what we’re on about, trying to get the community to do something about the violence,” he said.

Matthew’s life came to a tragic end when he was beaten to death outside an Alexandra Hills party in September 2006 at just fifteen years of age.

The Matthew Stanley Foundation was established by Matthew’s parents in the hope to “get the message out that senseless youth violence is unacceptable,” Mr Stanley said.  MSF aims to raise awareness about the effects of youth violence and educates teenagers and parents about how to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Mr Stanley said that the Foundation and the police work together to achieve their goals.  “We’re trying to get this message out there that the boys and girls in blue are on our side; they’re trying to help,” he said.

Senior Sargeant and Officer-in-Charge at Cleveland police division, Janelle Harm, said that initiatives like the ‘Party-Safe Program’ allow the police to monitor youth activities more effectively.  “We’re able to take preventative action rather than just react to a situation,” she said.

Mr Stanley believes communication is the key to reducing youth violence.  “I think it’s so important that we keep giving these kids the opportunity to be heard.  The fact that they’re taking the initiative themselves to do something about it in the community I think is outstanding,” he said.  

Clentsmith says the group are hoping to make another DVD in the next eight months and says “hopefully that will be just as good.”