Skimpy carwash raises more than $11,000 for local girls facing hardship

Two families experiencing their own traumatic hardships have received a financial boost thanks to bikini-clad skimpies and the generous Kalgoorlie-Boulder community.

Gold Class Girls skimpy agency had its annual skimpy carwash fundraiser this month in support of two local girls — Brianna and Taleisha, who were each experiencing their own struggles.

On March 10, 14 skimpies volunteered hours out of their days to wash cars and trucks in support of the families.

Between the car washes and raffles generously supported by local businesses, Gold Class Girls raised almost $12,000 for the girls.

GCC owner Nat O’Neill said while some critiques were received on social media, no negative comments were made at the fundraiser.

“I think some people see the words skimpy and carwash, and that’s as far as they would listen,” she said.

“But the good people and supportive people far outweighed the negative.

“It’s a great way to support important causes in our community and show the community there is more to skimpies than what some people think.

“We have hearts, and we want to help. All those girls donated their time, and they weren’t getting paid to be there at all.

“And a lot of them don’t know the girls we were supporting because they’re not from Kal, and they still wanted to help out.”

In September, 24-year-old Brianna was involved in a car accident, which left her in a coma in the intensive care unit.

She has since spent several months in rehabilitation and is showing signs of improvement, but life is still different to how it was for the vibrant woman.

Taleisha was last year diagnosed with relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis, with a dozen lesions on her spine and brain already showing up.

Her loved ones are hoping to raise enough money to get her life-changing treatment.

Ms O’Neill said the $11,634 raised was a bit more than she was expecting from the day, given the weather was not too sunny, but she was proud to see everyone band together to help the families.

“The support on the day was really overwhelming, but in the best way,” she said.

“The families were so happy, so thankful, and so grateful.

“There were people who brought their cars in even though they weren’t dirty at all and others who just stopped by to donate and didn’t even get their cars washed.

“I’m just really glad that we could help make a difference and try to relieve some of the stress for everyone involved with the girls.”

The skimpy carwash is an annual fundraiser that will continue next year, having supported the Royal Flying Doctor Service last year.