The Coral Sea Marina community came together last week to showcase the spirit of the Whitsundays in a bid to raise much needed funds and promote awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) by holding a “BIG AUSSIE BBQ”.
The beautiful spring weather and picture-perfect sunset provided the ideal backdrop at The Gardens, Coral Sea Marina, where over 120 people came to enjoy a traditional Aussie barbie whilst digging deep and generously donating to this much needed cause.
A total of over $4,375 was raised during the event alone, with 100% of the proceeds being donated straight to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Many local businesses put their hands up to help and rolled up their sleeves to get involved, by donating their time or products, and the Coral Sea Marina team were overwhelmed with the amount of support received.
Joining forces with the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach behind the BBQ and the friendly faces of the Whitsunday Prostate Cancer Support Group, Coral Sea Marina also received generous donations from Master Butchers Whitsundays, D’Vine Catering and Events, The Prickly Pineapple, Whitsunday Foodservice, Big W, Woolworths, the Great Barrier Reef Festival, Rewards and Coles.
In addition to firing up the barbie, the family-friendly community event served up some soulful sounds with live music from Total Entertainment, Just Tuk’n Around providing joy rides on their fun-filled tuk tuks around the marina, and raffle tickets being sold for some fabulous prizes donated by The Garden Bar Bistro, The Rocks – Restaurant, Bar & Pool Club, and Fruitylicious in addition to some Coral Sea Marina Resort goodies.
Guests were also invited to put on their best blue outfits or alternatively purchase a BIG AUSSIE BBQ blue T-shirt to show their support and they were also offered the chance to pick up their own newly launched Coral Sea Marina Resort merchandise, with every cent going straight into the donation tins.
Coral Sea Marina Resort Chief Executive Officer, Kate Purdie, expressed her gratitude to the local businesses involved and the local community who attended.
“Cancer of any kind is a devastating disease which affects not only those impacted, but everyone around them as well. I lost my husband to cancer in October of 2015, so I know that experience firsthand. Seeing such a wonderful turnout and hearing so many similar personal stories was a testament to the importance of events such as this, which I am proud to say we have committed to hosting on an annual basis. Thank you to everyone involved for your support of this worthy cause in such a warm Whitsundays fashion.”
With one in six Australian men being impacted by prostate cancer, the underlying mission of this event was not only to raise funds towards support and research on a national level, but also to take the opportunity to reach out and provide support to those who have faced this struggle locally, as well as their families.
John Ryan, the founder of the Whitsunday Prostate Cancer Support Group, understands the importance of community support for those who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“This group is designed to provide support and information to the men and their families who have been diagnosed with or undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. I personally invite you to join us for our monthly meetings, held on the third Wednesday of each month.”
Details of the support group’s monthly meetings can be found on the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s website.
With September being Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Coral Sea Marina are still taking donations right up until the end of the month and anyone else who might like to donate can do so online HERE.
100% of all additional proceeds will go straight to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
