Caroline Hammat
Over the last few weeks McCourt’s Garden Centre and Cafe has turned pink as staff prepare for this Saturday’s Strike Me Pink fundraiser.
Inspiration for the fundraiser came from a recent meeting of Garden Centres SA (GCSA) members which is made up of 15 regional South Australian nurseries.
McCourt’s business owner and GCSA member Christine Agnew, said: “The meeting was shortly after our co-chair, Daniel Bartsch, found out his wife had stage three breast cancer.
“Sam is only 37 with two little kiddies.
“It was really crushing and we thought what can we do to show our support.
“We had a round table discussion and decided we would have a pink day and raise money.”
Almost all Garden Centre SA nurseries are involved in holding their own pink fundraiser on April 20 with funds going to the McGrath Foundation which supports 223 breast care nurses across Australia.
McCourt’s customers are encouraged to wear their favourite pink outfit for the day and be in the running to win a prize.
A selected range of pink flowering plants will be available for purchase with $3 from every sale donated to the McGrath Foundation.
McCourt’s Cafe staff are baking a variety of pink food with a donation from each purchase going to the cause.
“Since we started advertising about the fundraiser people have been amazing,” Ms Agnew said.
“Starling Flowers from Robe donated pink flowers which will be available for purchase and Jane McCumstie donated an original artwork of hers which is amazing.”
The brightly coloured abstract painting is on display in the garden centre and a silent auction for the artwork is underway.
“We’re also going to have a trash and treasure bargain table,” Ms Agnew said.
“We are cleaning out our shed, it is so full.
“There’s cooking stuff from the cafe and stuff like plant stands that we don’t use any more.
“Our staff are bringing things in that they don’t want as well.”
Kate Young makes aprons from upcycled fabrics and has made 10 aprons for the fundraiser.
“Kate usually makes the her Re-Ap aprons for ac.care but she decided for the month of April to make pink ones and donate the proceeds to the McGrath Foundation.
“I’ve sold three of the pink ones already,” Ms Agnew said.
Staff member Pearl Bellinger currently has her own fundraiser underway for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Each day in April Ms Bellinger is doing the One Minute Plank in Pink Challenge with plans to do her daily plank at the garden centre on Saturday.
Ms Bellinger said she was finding it harder to do the plank each day and it definitely will not be for more than a minute.
Other activities are taking place on the day and there will be further sales and specials across the nursery available.
Donations to the fundraiser can be made through the McGrath Foundation website at pinkisthecolour.com.au/fundraisers/GardenCentresSouthAustralia/strike-me-pink–day
