Penny Bell and Miss World Australia hopeful Jesy Pinkerton. Picture: GREG ELLIS
The Hotel Illawarra believes there is plenty of value in having someone represent Wollongong the same way Jennifer Hawkins has represented Newcastle.
Hotel marketing manager Penny Bell was the first business person to support Jesy Pinkerton, of Keiraville, in her bid to be chosen as a finalist for Miss World Australia 2013.
Within days of hearing what she was trying to achieve, Ms Bell agreed to the hotel hosting a singles party fund-raiser on Valentine's Day.
This month the Hotel Illawarra and the Scarborough Hotel will host two evenings of music and fashion to support the cause.
The events, called "An Afternoon to Enjoy", are on this Sunday from 5pm at the Hotel Illawarra, and Saturday, March 23, at the Scarborough Hotel.
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All money raised will go to the Lilla Foundation, which supports the Lilla, Wanmara and Ulpinyali indigenous peoples of the Northern Territory by providing funding to advance education, health promotion and disease prevention.
Ms Bell said Ms Pinkerton had the potential to be a great ambassador for Wollongong.
"I just want to make sure people know that Jesy is much more than a pretty face," she said.
"Her quest is beyond beauty, and we know this based on her personal life experience."
Ms Pinkerton grew up with an older brother who was born with cerebral palsy and has used that experience to help others in her nursing career and in the community.
As a contestant in the 2013 Miss World competition, her main goal is to win the charity section by raising more than $20,000 to meet the needs of the Lilla Community Wish List.
The list includes household paint for walls, floors and ceilings, bathroom and kitchen tiles, cooling and solar hot water systems, sponsorship of school breakfasts and lunches, washing machines, solar lighting, a solar bore water pump, stainless steel kitchen benches and a bobcat for community works.
Also on the list are energy- efficient refrigerators, an outdoor basketball area and community playground equipment, a swimming pool, fencing materials, shade structures and general gardening and plumbing equipment.
"One hundred per cent of donations will contribute to providing the Lilla, Wanmara and Ulpinyali people the little luxuries, creature comforts and peace of mind we take for granted," Ms Pinkerton said.
She is encouraging people to buy tickets online at http://jessicafundraiser2.event brite.com.au/ for $10 each.