The Jam Lady… Wyn Finlayson has been recognised for her efforts to support children living in poverty by selling her homemade jam.
Camera IconThe Jam Lady… Wyn Finlayson has been recognised for her efforts to support children living in poverty by selling her homemade jam. Credit: Supplied/Matthew Poon

Wyn’s fundraising the sweetest legacy of all

Staff ReporterSouthern Gazette

‘I imagined all those poor mothers’ heartache at losing their children and suddenly I felt so angry,’ the South Perth great-grandmother said.

‘I thought, ‘This is terrible, why doesn’t someone do something?’

‘Then I thought, ‘Well Wyn, you’re somebody’.’

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As the Fundraising Institute of Australia Volunteer of the Year for 2013, Mrs Finlayson has devoted the past 24 years to volunteer work and sponsoring more than 300 children through Christian child advocacy organisation Compassion Australia.

However, it is her special fundraising initiative that is sure to leave the sweetest legacy of all.

Mrs Finlayson raises money to support children living in poverty simply by selling jars of her homemade jam.

‘Buying one jar of my jam could inoculate a child and in turn, save their life,’ she said.

‘I’ve sold so much over the years that people in the community know me as the Jam Lady.’

Making up to 18 litres of jam each week, Mrs Finlayson said she had no plans to slow down.

‘When I was first told about Volunteer of the Year, I did feel a little embarrassed and unworthy,’ she said.

‘Why should I get this award when I’m just doing what I love?’

Compassion Australia child advocate network co-ordinator Melissa French said Mrs Finlayson was an inspiration to the organisation’s 120 staff and more than 2500 volunteers.

Wyn’s Jam is available in a variety of flavours for $5 from Lifestreams Christian Church, South Perth.

For more information, visit www.compassion.com.au.