Petanque Club gives for cancer wellness

OVER the last two months, Ballarat Petanque Club members have banded together to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre’s Wellness Centre.

A total of $20,045 has been raised for the cause, inspired by first club champion, the late Tony Clancy.

“Tony was going through the treatment process and wanted to give something back to the Wellness Centre and BRICC, and asked whether the club would consider doing a fundraiser,” said Ballarat Petanque Club’s Gordon Oliver.

“We put it to the members and they decided they’d support it, and that’s how it all started. There are so many people touched by cancer.

“For two months, we’ve been talking to businesses flat out. We’ve been seeing businesses face-to-face seeking cash support, or vouchers or products we could use to turn into cash for the centre.”

More than 150 local businesses donated to the fundraiser, and an evening function last weekend boosted the final figure.

BRICC Wellness Centre coordinator Simone Noelker was impressed by the big total raised by a small club.

“Twenty thousand dollars can provide our programs for a third of the year basically, so it’s amazing that we can think our programs are safe for the next few months.

“We run about 22 different programs which are free for patients and it’s nice to have the knowledge that we can continue to pay for those for patients.

“We’re very, very grateful. Can we do it every year?”

The fundraiser was also an opportunity for Ballarat Petanque Club members to get their name out there.

“We do exist in Ballarat and we welcome people at any time,” Mr Oliver said.