Special $6k for breakfast

AN auction for the 3BA Christmas Appeal held during a recent Commerce Ballarat BisNet Breakfast event has raised $6000 for the cause.

All the prizes and auction items were donated by Commerce Ballarat members and the event drew in over 100 people.

“It just shows the huge support we get from the local business community,” said 3BA general manager John Fitzgibbon.

“It was really good support from the Ballarat Business community and its wide range of business, small and large.

Every year Shaw’s Cycling Centre donates two or three bikes and they’ve done so for 20 years. It’s just a huge commitment they provide every year.”

The money raised at the BisNet Breakfast will go into the Appeal’s reserves that also include food and toy donations. However, Mr Fitzgibbon said there was more to do.

“A number of the organisations [supported by the appeal] are really tight with their registrations and that’s creating a knock-on effect to one or two of the others,” he said.

“The influx of toys from the toy run will be hugely needed. It’s going to be tight but we’re confident of a few more donations coming in over the next few days.”

The appeal will run right up until Christmas and Mr Fitzgibbon said donations will be accepted at the 3BA/PowerFM office at 56 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat until 21 December.

There you can donate nonperishable food, toys and money and you don’t need to wrap any of it as Appeal organisers need to see what’s been donated so it can be directed to the right place.

With Christmas so close, Mr Fitzgibbon said money was becoming the most needed donation.

“Cash provides us greater flexibility because if we’re low on toys we can purchase some toys. If we’re low on food then we can go and make a purchase of food,” he said.

“The agencies have already had to go out and purchase some stuff themselves, so then we can replenish their cash as needed. Cash is the king and gives us much more flexibility.”