Cobram Harness Racing Club’s amazing Community Pink Ladies Day fundraiser is on again in May – but if you’d like one of this year’s unique promotional hoodies, the time to order is now!
The energetic northern Victorian Club has raised an incredible $130,000 for charity in the 10 years since the McGrath Foundation fundraiser began.
Organisers have drummed up huge community and sponsorship support and have turned the Paul Roberts Jewellers Ladies Invitational race day (this year on May 26) into one of the most popular on the region’s racing calendar.
“It started because, at the time, there seemed to be a lot of people being affected by cancer, including people in harness racing, so we thought we should do something,” explained Cobram Harness Racing Club’s Margaret Watson.
“It started with a fundraising dinner and raffle and it went on to become an annual event that raised about five or six thousand dollars each time with fundraising on the day and by selling raffle tickets,” she said.
But Margaret said the event took on a life of its own when the invited female drivers stepped in, led by the tireless Donna Castles, about five years ago.
“Donna told us it’s the drivers who get all the accolades on the day, ‘so it’s about time we got on board’ properly,” Margaret said.
“That year they donated their driving fees to the McGrath Foundation. The next year they decided to run a huge raffle and rallied around to get more than 20 prizes from sponsors,” she said.
“The following year they raffled a sulky, last year they raffled a car, which was a huge effort, and this year they are doing a $3000 travel voucher and seven voucher prizes.
“With their support the whole thing has taken off.”
Anyone wanting raffle tickets can buy them from any of the invited female drivers up until the raceday.
In addition, the girls have organised eye-catching hoodies to promote the event and to acknowledge the involvement of sponsors. They’re $50 each, but orders and payment must be made by next Friday March 29 to either Donna Castles (0417 003 376), Juanita Breen (0418 565 310) or Margaret and Bob Watson at Cobram HRC (0409 401 189).
The Sunday raceday on May 26 begins with a candle-lighting ceremony in memory of those who have lost their lives to breast cancer and in support of those being affected by the disease.
The event has become a popular community and ladies’ day at the races, with everyone invited to add a touch of pink to their outfits.
“We’re thrilled that HRV has come on board this year so we can offer $10,000 in stakes for the invitation race, and hopefully that will give us full fields and a great day’s racing,” Margaret said.
The female drivers on the day will be unmissable in their bright pink driver’s pants and invited drivers are: Donna Castles; Rebecca Bartley; Ellen Bartley; Juanita Breen; Monique Burnett; Rita Burnett; Laura Crossland; Kima Frenning; Abbey Turnbull; Tania Ward, Ellen Tormey; Lisa Miles and; Kylie Sugars.
Terry Gange
NewsAlert PR Mildura