General News
11 May, 2026
Funds raised for kids with cancer
Rainbow Lions Club raised $315 through its annual wood raffle and will top up the amount from club funds to make a $500 donation to Kids With Cancer.
Club president Wayne Nitschke said the club held the raffle on Thursday, April 30, at two locations in Rainbow: outside the general store and outside IGA.
“We raised on the day about $315,” Mr Nitschke said.
“We usually donate $500 towards the kids with cancer, so what we didn’t make in the raffle, we just take out of our own funds.”
Three volunteers helped run the raffle on the day, including Don Fisher, Graham Smith and Mr Nitschke.
Mr Nitschke said the club was pleased with the community’s support, although the streets were quieter than expected.
“We were happy with the response,” he said.
“We picked a Thursday because we thought the bank would be open and the chemist shop would be open as well, which might attract a few more people to town, but the streets were pretty quiet.”
He said rising costs may have affected the number of people coming into town.
“I’ve just got a feeling that cost of living and fuel and all that sort of stuff is just making people think a bit more and stay home maybe,” he said.
The Rainbow Lions Club has supported the cause for several years.
Mr Nitschke said the club previously held a bigger fundraising breakfast alongside the wood raffle, but later decided to continue with the raffle only.
“We used to have what they call the big breakfast, and we used to cook, have a barbecue breakfast and sell egg and bacon rolls,” he said.
“It was getting fewer and fewer people coming in for breakfast, so we decided not to keep the barbecue going and just stick with the wood raffle.”
Elaine Abbott won the wood raffle prize, but she didn’t take it and gave it away.
Mr Nitschke said the club would continue supporting Kids With Cancer and would maintain its $500 donation.
“We will keep the donation up to $500 anyway for kids with cancer,” he said.
He also encouraged more people to consider joining the Rainbow Lions Club, which currently has 16 members, with about 12 actively involved.
“We’re always looking for new members,” Mr Nitschke said.
“If anyone out there is looking to become a Lion, just let us know.”