NORTHBRIDGE cafe Urbanista is turning coffee into compassion thanks to the goodwill of customers.
The cafe is declaring the second Friday of each month Flamboyant Friday when staff dress in costume and all tips collected on the day go to charity.
For the first Flamboyant Friday, held last month, staff donned colourful wigs and raised $120 for the Starlight Foundation.
Manager Esther Leith, who came up with the idea to hold a monthly event, said cafe workers were “happy to look like idiots” to help local charities.
She said giving back to the community was something that she and cafe owner Leigh Schultz really cared about.
“And customers really care about it, too,” she said.
The cafe’s next fundraising day in September will benefit homeless people on the streets of Perth with staff dressing in op shop clothing.
“Leigh and I care about people who are short on money; we really have a heart for that and think all people should be treated the same,” Esther said.
She has been involved in volunteer work in the past, helping out in various soup kitchens.
She said the cafe aimed to support various charities for children, homeless people and cancer patients.
“It’s good to support charity, I encourage everyone to do it,” she said.