Caroline Hammat
A generous donation from the Millicent Cancer Support Group (MCSG) substantially boosted the tally for the Strike Me Pink day hosted by McCourts Garden Centre on Saturday.
Representatives of the MCSG presented a cheque for $2,500 to garden centre owner Christine Agnew for the fundraiser in support of the McGrath Foundation.
Ms Agnew was not expecting the donation.
“It was an absolute surprise, I had no idea they were going to do that,” she said.
“It will really boost our final tally.”
Customers got on board and dressed in pink to support the day, which started early with a trash and treasure table and by mid afternoon pink flower bunches and pink muffins had sold out.
At midday, long serving employee, Pearl Bellinger underwent her One Minute Plank in Pink Challenge at the centre with a small crowd cheering her on.
Ms Bellinger has been doing a daily one minute plank throughout April for her own fundraiser and is raising funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
A brightly coloured original artwork inspired by the garden and donated by the artist, Jane McCumstie, is currently being auctioned on eBay.
Within a few days the bidding had reached $500 with the auction scheduled to end near midday tomorrow.
The fundraiser was an initiative of Garden Centres SA (GCSA) members who joined together to show support for GCSA co-chair Daniel Bartsch and his wife who was recently diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.
Over the weekend around 15 GCSA members held pink fundraisers at their own stores to raise money for the McGrath Foundation and support the funding of regional breast care nurses across Australia.
Donations to the fundraiser can be made through the McGrath Foundation website www.pinkisthecolour.com.au/fundraisers/GardenCentresSouthAustralia/strike-me-pink–day
