Lake Haven Shopping Centre launches Colour for a Cause to support youth charities

The centre has supplied a stack of colouring pencils and erected large murals inspired by adult colouring books, as part of its Colour for a Cause campaign.

Locals of all ages are being invited to pick up a colouring pencil and, after making a donation, get creative to raise funds for local youth programs.

Representatives of the four local charities – Central Coast Youth Health Service, Evolution Youth Services, Youth Off The Streets Limited, and Mums and Bubs YMCA, Lake Haven – were on hand to launch the campaign on Thursday.

Each charity has an information table near the murals, so customers can find out about their services.

The murals are near Woolworths, and customers have until mid-March to make their mark.

Shoppers are invited to colour in a section of the murals for a donation, and Lake Haven will match the donations dollar-for-dollar up to $500 per organisation.

Centre manager Mike Cochrane said it was a creative way to reach out to assist local young people in need.

“Lake Haven is thrilled to be able to provide an avenue for our shoppers to support these wonderful charity programs that connect with young people and provide services to assist them to reach their potential,” Mr Cochrane said.

Adult colouring books have taken off around the world in recent years.

Adults have reported enjoying a range of therapeutic benefits from colouring, including a mindfulness, and entering an almost meditative state that’s calming and satisfying.