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Mother’s Day Lunch reaches new fundraising heights

May 18, 2023 BY

The Geelong Mums group founders from left, Bianca Clair, Kate Betts, Clare Dowling, Christine Whelan and Kate Kent. Photos: JANE FITZGERALD AND STILL MUSE PHOTOGRAPHY

GEELONG Mums have raised a whopping $206,000 at the tenth anniversary of its popular Geelong Mums Mother’s Day Lunch presented by Community Care Chemist.

Hosted at Mt Duneed Estate on Friday, the event brought together more than 480 likeminded individuals who dug deep into their pockets to help Geelong Mums continue to provide thousands of babies and their families with preloved essentials including cots, car seats, prams, sanitary items and clothes.

Silvana Philippoussis, Jordan Ablett and Emma Hawkins.

 

Jacqui Felgate and Stephanie Luketic.

 

The special ten-year anniversary luncheon was MC’d by Jacqui Felgate and included an acknowledgement of Country, interviews with women who have used the Geelong Mums service and music from Mike Snell.

Geelong Mums Head of Operations and Impact, Julia Roache said the afternoon far exceeded expectations.

“It was a fabulous day, and we were thrilled to raise over $206,000 which was just a massive result,” Ms Roache said.

“The raffle and silent auction was just so well supported and people definitely brought their generosity.

“There were so many highlights on the day including when one of our Geelong Mum’s recipients got up and spoke about how the organisation had helped her in such a time of crisis in her life… that was really powerful.

“To have our five founders there in Kate Betts, Kate Kent, Clare Dowling, Christine Whelan and Bianca Clair was a really touching part of the day… it was very special to thank them in person for what they’ve done.

“We were so grateful for the community support and can’t thank everyone enough.”

 

Geelong Mums CEO Ruth Holdaway and CEO Community Care Chemist Nick Salkeld.

 

The Geelong Mums Mother’s Day 2023 Lunch helped to raise $206,000.

 

Mrs Roache said all funds raised from the event will go to Geelong Mums to continue its work within the community.

“It’ll make sure we can continue to help the thousands of babies that we do each year,” she said.

“We can’t do what we do without the community, and we continue to be humbled by their support.”

The event was attended by more than 480 people.

 

Since its inception in 2013, Geelong Mums has helped over 40,000 babies and children and provided families with goods worth over $13.4 million.

For more, visit www.geelongmums.org/