THE fighting fund to beat prostate cancer looks a little healthier this week after proceeds from the inaugural Casey Cardinia Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch were handed over.
Star News Group managing director Paul Thomas and group editor Garry Howe handed a cheque for $52,332 on behalf of the organising committee to Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) state board members David Schmidt and Graeme Johnson at the Westpac Centre.
The funds will be used for research and awareness initiatives.
PCFA state manager John Strachan said there were now 11 Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch events held throughout Victoria and southern New South Wales.
He said the annual lunches had attracted over 14,000 people and raised $1.69 million since first conceived by Shepparton newspaperman Chris McPherson in 2009.
The Casey Cardinia lunch, which attracted 300 people to the Cardinia Cultural Centre in September, was one of three new events in 2014.
The others were hosted in Wagga Wagga and Mildura. The three committees were presented with a certificate of appreciation at a gathering of all BEBL committees last week.
Casey Cardinia committee chairman Garry Howe said the group was thrilled to have raised more than $50,000 initially.
“We set out to create an impression with an event to remember and I think we achieved that,” he said.
“It was as much about creating awareness of prostate cancer, but to raise that much money was brilliant.
“We had such great feedback from the day and hope all those people will front up again and bring a few friends.”
Planning is now well underway for next year’s lunch, to be held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Friday 31 July, and the entertainment line-up should be announced early in the new year.
Bookings are now being taken. For inquiries contact Mr Howe on 0407 203 525.
