Racing to help Kids in Need

Earlier in the year, a Central Coast Charity Race Day was held to raise funds for Central Coast Kids in Need (CCKIN). The fifth of its kind and the fourth to be supported by Freemasons on the Central Coast.

Held at Wyong Race Club, the Race Day has become Central Coast Kids in Need’s flagship fundraising event, this year raising a massive $32,657 on the day. The event was organised by CCKIN with financial support from Freemason on the Central Coast (FotCC), The Central Coast Lodge 2001 and the Central Coast Bulldogs, all three often join together for charity fund raising on the Central Coast and are all long time supporters of CCKIN. This year FotCC were also a Race Sponsor.

The brethren on the Central Coast did a lot of funding raising before the Race Day even began, starting with a Bunnings BBQ on Saturday 18 October, raising $3,600 and then again on Saturday 31 January raising a further $2,800. These events being arranged by Ben Falconer with assistance from Lodge Wyong Tuggerah Lakes 247, and supported by The Central Coast Lodge 2001, Lodge Toukley 933 with Freemasons on the Central Coast paying all the costs.
With additional support from Masonicare, the Grand Lodge Charity, this amount was doubled, allowing Ben and the other brethren present the opportunity of presenting a cheque for the value of $12,880 to the ladies from CCKIN.

The day was a huge success attended by 240 people and it was beautiful to see the admiration shown to CCKIN, by those in attendance, for what they do in the community. The generosity shown by those present was outstanding.

Lorraine Churchill commented:
“Thank you to all our Race Sponsors, to everyone who purchased a ticket to attend, to all company’s and individuals who donated prizes, and those who donated their services … to the 3 families who came along as our guests today and shared their stories and lastly to our amazing group of volunteers who helped setup on Friday and assisted on the day, especially my beautiful sister Rhonda for her assistance is sourcing donations of prizes and assisting me in organising the day.”

It was especially pleasing to hear from families who had been assisted by Central Coast Kids In Need with not just financial assistance given for accommodation, medicines, and travel but also providing a compassionate ear to parents and siblings.

Listening to these families share their journeys was deeply moving. While it is incredibly rewarding to hear how CCKIN provided vital comfort and support to them and their children, it is equally heartbreaking to learn about the immense hardships they faced, and the devastating loss of a child that some have had to bare.