General News
5 November, 2024
Small event to help make a big difference
Natimuk community centre gardens became the site for a Pink Ribbon Brunch on Sunday October 27, organised by Neil Devonport alongside the help of Natimuk local community members to raise vital funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Mr Devonport is a frequent visitor to Natimuk with his food van Big Bertha, popping up around town while also attending the markets that are held on the first Sunday of each month.
He said the idea of hosting the fundraiser was "tossed around loosely" in conversation with 'locals' six weeks ago.
"So we put together the fundraiser in the last week and a half," Mr Devonport said.
"This is a trial run to see how fundraisers can be done on a smaller scale."
"I want to try and bring the community out with these sorts of events."
A fitness session led by Natimuk local, JP Nikinorth ran from 9 to 10am for all attendees to join with face painting by Samantha Smith going from 10am until 12pm.
Music played throughout the day with showbags and goodies available to the young children.
Brunch and coffee was supplied by Big Bertha with vegan and gluten free options also available.
Mr Devonport said they had around 40 to 50 people attend the fundraiser across the day.
"It seemed to go down well and people gave what they could if they couldn't stay," he said.
"A lot of people told me that they came because they knew it was a fundraiser."
$5 from each sold brunch dish was put towards the charity with gold coin donations also being accepted.
"There was a raffle draw with all funds going to the charity," Mr Devonport said.
Their fundraising goal was anywhere between $500 to $1000 which was reached. The event donated $500 towards the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Raffles and donations raised $185 alongside another $70 from 14 brunch dishes that were sold.
Reflecting on the day, Mr Devonport said he would like to do it again next year.
"Anything is practice," he said.
One in seven women and one in 550 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime with 58 Australians being diagnosed with breast cancer everyday.
Sadly nine Australians die from breast cancer everyday.
With a vision of zero deaths from breast cancer, the National Breast Cancer Foundation aims to raise vital funds for ground-breaking research to help better understand how to prevent and detect early, how to stop the progression and recurrence and how to effectively treat hard-to-treat and metastatic breast cancers.