13 Apr 2012 Article and photography courtesy of Manning River Times
13 April 2012
Happy occasion: At Manning Hospital for the presentation of
the giant cheque were Justin Stack, Leanne Wood, Mark Kircher,
Phil Shoesmith, Ros Everingham, Maureen Hogan and Fran Boad. A race day fundraiser for local oncology services was such a hit it will certainly become a regular highlight of the Manning social calendar.
The inaugural Golden Slipper Race Day on Easter Saturday was such a phenomenal success it raised $5567 for the oncology unit at Manning Hospital.
Instigator of the charity day, Leanne Wood, said she was delighted with the result and especially happy that all of the funds will go to treatment facilities for local women, men and children fighting cancer.
Leanne decided to take on a more localised cancer fundraiser after spending several years raising funds for the Cancer Council through the Girl’s Night In.
She said the local community and businesses have been behind the fundraising efforts for the past seven years and “it is time that we give back to them”.
A small team comprising Leanne, her husband Peter and Taree racecourse catering manager Greg Hile was the force behind Saturday’s Golden Slipper Race Day gala at Taree-Wingham Race Club.
“We wanted to make it a family day and something kids could come along and enjoy as well – and I saw so many kids who were so thrilled to get dressed up,” Leanne said.
Guests were invited to come along dressed in yellow or pink (for men’s and women’s cancer) and a total of $1000 in prize money was presented to the best dressed on the day.
Leanne said everyone will be looking forward to the next gala day in April 2013 – so people and businesses have 12 months to consider how they would like to help or sponsor the fundraiser.
Saturday’s gala was sponsored by the National Australia Bank, and supported by Stacks The Law Firm, Pat Hogan and Sons Plumbing, and Griffo’s Chatham Bakery.
