Grenfell was one of the stopovers on a charity motor rally last week to raise money for the Western Care Lodge.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cancer Care Western NSW, the charity that built and operates Western Care Lodge, again provided a fundraising challenge to the region.
The annual “Cruisin Along” - “In Our Backyard” rally had a strong emphasis on Central Western towns, featuring the smaller towns who have contributed over the years to fundraising.
The rally left Orange on Friday, May 9.
Every year the same members roll out and contribute to the annual rally success.
The events undertaken in each town were also attended by community members.
“Our contribution was in accommodation, petrol and food consumed by the participants. We hope that gave back a little into the communities,” organiser Jan Savage said.
The rally had stopover in Parkes, Wellington, Armatree/ Gilgandra, Mudgee, Oberon and Canowindra before arriving in Grenfell on Thursday May 15. The rally left Grenfell the next morning and travelled via Quandialla and then onto Forbes.
The rally hit town around 3.30pm where members ventured to their various accommodation venues before making their way to the Railway Hotel for a fun filled evening.
The Grenfell Lions Club members, as well as running their Thursday night Mini Lotto were on hand to cook a BBQ to feed the hungry 52 or so travelers. Thank you to Rotarians President Jill Hodgson and John Walmsley who assisted on the night and to Colleen and Chris Handcock who helped out when the big rush was on.
A very successful auction was held in the dining room where many unsuspecting members of the rally purchased items they didn’t know they were bidding on.
Following the auction, Barry Franklin President of the Grenfell Lions Club presented a cheque for $1500 to John Davis for their fundraising on behalf of the club members.
Bernadette Dykhoff also took the opportunity to make a presentation on behalf of her late husband Jack Dykhoff. Jack was the Treasurer of the Grenfell Lions Club and donations to Cancer Care Western in lieu of flowers were received at his funeral in March.
Fun and fellowship was the order of the evening with the “Button Dance Instructor” teaching the girls behind the bar the procedure. This little dance in which everyone participated almost bought the house down.
This is the sixth year that the Mayor of Orange John Davis, has led the ‘Cruisin Along’ team.
About $400,000 has been raised over the years to assist with building Western Care Lodge.
“The latest stage of the development has increased the capacity to assist local people by an additional eight ensuite rooms, along with an additional guest laundry,” Ms Savage said.
“The total number of rooms now at the lodge has been increased to 22.
“This increase in providing accommodation has meant that more country people can access cancer services and rest in a quite environment, while undergoing lifesaving treatment.
“The treatment for cancer can now be undertaken locally without the need to travel to Sydney and be away from home for six to seven weeks,” Jan said.
The total cost of building Western Care Lodge is $5.4 million, including the $1.4 million second stage.
Cancer Care Western NSW still needs help.
A loan needs to be taken out to complete the building of the additional accommodation on time. The amount of $300,000 still needs to be raised.
“Ongoing costs associated with operational funding also need to be met, so all efforts help,” Jan said.
“It has taken close to eight years this October since the project was launched along with a push to fast track the radiotherapy facilities to the western area.