Donation helps kids frame new lives

From left, Tania Maloup, Alice Graham, Charmaine Temple-Smith and Bill Gissane from Yandina Art & Framing present the framed works to Kerry Smith from Salty Souls Legacy, an organisation which uses surf therapy to help vulnerable kids.

On Friday February 5 Bill Gissane and his team at Yandina Art & Framing presented several custom framed works to Kerry Smith of Salty Souls Legacy. 

Included were a Broncos signed footy jumper, a Matthew Hayden signed Brisbane Heat cricket shirt, a Steph Gilmore signed surfing singlet, a Glenn Boss signed Sir Dragonet silks and cap (2020 Cox Plate winner), a Bells Beach legends poster signed by Tom Carroll and signed Mohammed Ali picture winning the World heavyweight Championship against Sonny Liston.

Salty Souls Legacy was established to assist kids aged 5 to 17, who are suffering from trauma, physical or mental abuse, illness or disability backgrounds with a fit for purpose surf therapy program to support their recovery.

By connecting vulnerable kids to the supportive surfing community Salty Souls Legacy enables children from even the toughest starts in life to achieve surf therapy within their local communities.  

Surfing provides a healthy outlet for participants which directly helps improve strength, balance and posture whilst also dealing with life improvement outcomes such as self-confidence, communication, and trust.

Surfing requires excellent balance, and the muscle movements are similar to types of physiotherapy but much more enjoyable for kids. 

“Salty Souls Legacy therapy provides fantastic outcomes for those dealing with physical disabilities or impairments, and the program has demonstrated significant psychological benefits including a general sense of belonging, well being and improved confidence,” said Kerry. 

“Soft skills such as communication and listening, and improved control and self-discipline have also been observed.”

Kerry said while the program could not rewrite their beginning, it could certainly help participants see a brighter future.

“We are immensely proud to support this fantastic initiative,” said Yandina Art and Framing managing partner Alice Graham. 

“This is our second year with Salty Souls and the work they do is a testament to the benefits of genuine community spirit. We are already looking forward to next year’s event!”