By JESSE GRAHAM
SIZZLING sausages spurred generous donations from residents earlier this month with a three-hour fundraiser selling out and raising money for medical research.
The team at Healesville’s LJ Hooker set up a marquee at the Healesville Walk Shopping Centre on Saturday 10 May for a fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis Victoria.
Starting at 11.15am, the team sold sausages and shook tins for donations before selling out at 2pm.
At the end of the day, the fundraiser collected $428 through sales and another $123 through donations – a grand total of $551.
LJ Hooker director Kate Taylor said the cause was particularly close to the team’s heart because the grand-daughter of one of the workers, Emma, suffers from the condition.
“We have a personal feeling towards it (cystic fibrosis) – for us, it’s closer to home,” she said.
Ms Taylor said that Emma came down to the marquee and had a fun day, getting to see the real estate company’s fluffy mascot.
She said that she was thankful for the generous contributions from the community and thankful to the companies that helped to supply the event with food and barbecue facilities.
“I think the public have been really generous – it was nice to see that people were really supportive,” Ms Taylor said.
“Even those who weren’t hungry were helping out.”
Cystic fibrosis is a common life-threatening genetic condition which affects the lungs and the digestive system, with mucus clogging the lungs and requiring daily intensive therapy.
Some sufferers take up to 40 tablets per day to replace digestive enzymes affected by the disease.
The average life expectancy of someone affected by cystic fibrosis is 37, and there is currently no cure to the condition.
The annual 65 Roses Day, which raises funds and awareness for the condition, will be held on Friday 30 May.
Residents are asked to fundraise or hold an activity centred on the number 65, and to donate to Cystic Fibrosis Victoria.
For more information, visit vic.65roses.org.au.
