Pink Ribbon catches on

Cr Maria McCarthy (centre) with frients Olga DiNezza and Grace Molluso at the luncheon. Picture: Mitch Meyland

By KATH GANNAWAY

FROM a morning tea that raised $500 nine years ago to a spectacular winery luncheon that raised $23,046 this year, the Pink Ribbon Morning Tea Fund-raiser that started at the Wandin North Primary School is an amazing success story.
The Pink Ribbon Morning Tea has been held at Killara Estate Winery in Seville for the past three years after building a great following at Vines for four years.
It’s an event that has tapped into the hearts and the pockets of hundreds of people with every cent raised going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
This year’s event at Killara Estate was a special one.
“We were going to break the $100,000 total, and it’s 20 years since the Pink Ribbon campaign started,” organiser Karen Webb said.
The actual amount raised over nine years is $109,000.
The success of the event is down to the extraordinary support Karen and her team get throughout the year and on the day.
“Everything is donated from the venue to the food, raffle prizes and goods and services for the silent auction, which means that 100 per cent of the money raised goes to the foundation,” Karen said.
People are always keen to go along and very generously bid at the auctions and buy raffle tickets.
“It’s a very relaxed and inspiring day, with tears as well as laughter, and that comes down to the way its run with people who are caring and loving.
“People love coming and can’t wait for the next one; it’s a good feeling,” Karen said.
Next year’s 10th anniversary event, sometime in October, will be the best ever.
To find out how you can help, or donate, phone Karen on 0409 532 464.