Pink Stumps fundraiser returns

A SELL-OUT Pink Stumps Day at Portarlington Cricket Club (PCC) later this month promises to raise thousands of dollars for the McGrath Foundation.

PCC treasurer Claire Hindley said the event had become an increasingly popular staple on people’s calendars, having sold out three years in a row and collectively raising more than $10,000 in the short time it had been running.

“We raised $1,400 the first year, $2,700 the second year and last year was $6,000, so anything over six this year is a bonus,” Ms Hindley said.

Ms Hindley said word soon spread after 30 people attended the first Pink Stumps Day at Portartlington in 2019 and last year the event drew a crowd of 100. Numbers have been capped at 120 for this year’s event on February 18.

“It’s generally the same people every year, so everyone keeps it in their diary,” she said.

This year’s entertainment will be provided by the Piano Bar and along with the $40 ticket sales and series of raffles for prizes donated by local business, organisers are confident of beating the $6,000 raised last year for women with breast cancer.
“It’s very expensive to get a breast care nurse, but it’s contributing,” Ms Hindley said.

She said the event is a way of combining discussions around heavier topics such as breast cancer with friends, family and community, while also having a fun and a laugh.

“Last year I had a girlfriend diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, a breast cancer nurse, raffles, a drag queen, music dancing and fun…this year year will be similar but we’ve mixed it up a bit,” Ms Hindley said.

The women’s cricket team will be helping out on the day by preparing food and drinks, and a guest speaker has also been booked.