- Stories/
- Personal Stories/
- Cooroy Celebrates Their Commitment To Care
Cooroy celebrates their commitment to care
In the Queensland town of Cooroy, breakfast isn’t just the most important meal of the day, it’s also the most generous.
For the past two years, Carol Christensen has organised a fundraising breakfast as part of Pink Up Cooroy and raised $31,588 for the McGrath Foundation. The breakfast which is attended by 200 people has become the hottest ticket in town.
“I was in business in Cooroy for 30 years, which means I can reach out to a lot of people.”
- Carol
Held at the Cooroy RSL, the event includes a live auctioneer and mega raffle, with local businesses donating prizes in a show of support.
The prizes include a single pink diamond. “Last year, a lovely business owner donated a single pink diamond, and she has done the same this year,” says Carol. “Her very good friend was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and she wants to do something to support her.
“The businesses in Cooroy are all very generous. The majority donate a voucher or a prize of some sort. We have a nice little booty of prizes. I think part of the generosity is because cancer has affected so many people – if it’s not them, they know someone. That’s what most people say when they donate. It’s a story of connecting because of their experiences.”
It’s not just the raffle where local businesses are getting involved. Across town, local hotels, clubs and sporting organisations are helping to raise funds.
“All the little bits add up to that big total you’re looking for.”
- Carol
“As part of the fundraising, I’ve reached out to local hotels and clubs, and they donated a gold coin from schnitzel sales. I have written to all the sporting clubs to get them to do an activity. Even the local op shops in Cooroy ran a raffle. All the little bits add up to that big total you’re looking for.”
This year, Carol is also bringing back the Pink Walk after it was put on hiatus during Covid. The walk will be held on the first Saturday of October, while the breakfast takes place on the last Friday of the month, meaning there’s plenty of time for the community to purchase raffle tickets and pink up in support.
“Everyone in the community has somewhat been touched by cancer, so when we went to ask people to get involved, they were onboard with it and offered to help out even more.”
“I know the difference a McGrath nurse makes to people.”
She also believes that anyone can host a fundraiser as part of Pink Up Your Town. “Start small, and think of growing,” she says. “Just have a go. Even if you raise a few grand one year, the next year you get more people onboard, and it grows.”
Feeling inspired to hold your own event? Register here.
If you drive through the regional Queensland town of Miles in October, expect to be greeted by a row of bras hanging from the main street.
For the past seven years, the NSW town of Griffith has turned pink to raise money for the McGrath Foundation.
Mel of two Mel Dutton, 48, was first diagnosed with cancer two days before her 40th birthday. Just 18 months later, she learned the cancer had spread to her brain.