THE challenge was set and the community stepped up, with the whole Nutrien Ag Casterton team taking the plunge into the rather cool waters of the Glenelg River in its Do it for Dolly fundraising drive.

Putting a new slant on Dolly’s favourite colour, the team of Paige, Christian, Sarah, Rick and Andrew promised to take a dip in the icy waters and risk turning blue with the cold, in turn, for every $300 donated by the community in memory of 14-year-old bullying victim, Dolly Everett, who took her own life in 2018.

The donations came thick and fast and in less than a week, all five were committed to taking the plunge.

“We have well and truly smashed out our fundraising target which has seen all five of us jump in the river,” the team’s Paige Hale said.

“We are nearing $2000 now.

“We are also auctioning off a load of wood this week, the boys are going woodcutting thanks to Mark and Rosemary of Majors Creek; our current bid is sitting at $250.”

Bidding for the load of wood closes at 2pm this Friday, 12 May on the official national Do It For Dolly Day.

Bids can be made by visiting the Nutrien Ag office at 13 Henty St, Casterton, phoning the team on 03 5581 1625 or messaging their Facebook page.

“We would like to thank the Casterton and surrounding community for getting behind this amazing cause,” Paige said.

Nutrien Ag is a supporting partner of Dolly’s Dream and Do It For Dolly Day, created by Dolly’s parents, Kate and Tick Everett, in an effort to raise awareness of and change the culture of bullying among Australia’s young people.

Last year, Nutrien donated close to $20,000 raised in employee-led fundraising activities, Australia-wide.