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Otago Daily Times

Pink Ribbon lunch raises over $10k

Organisers of the Cromwell Pink Ribbon event that raised more than $10,000 (from back left) Tania Renfree, Yana Hansen, (front from left) Sharon Conaboy, Jan Sangster and Renee King, celebrate their success. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Organisers of a Cromwell Pink Ribbon lunch are stoked after they unexpectedly raised more than $10,000 for the Breast Cancer Foundation, much more than the $1200 they had initially pledged. The organising team had quietly hoped they would earn more than they had pledged, aiming for $3500. Co-organiser Tania Renfree said the group had decided to host a breakfast for 40 people at the Bannockburn Hall. "We decided that initially we were going to have 40, but that extended to 60, then 80." In the end they sold 85 tickets and the breakfast became a lunch, she said. The tickets sold for $50 each, auctions and raffles were held, and there was a $3000 donation from a Cromwell business owner who wished to remain anonymous which made up the difference. Guest speakers as well as wine and port tastings were part of the event, too. Ms Renfree said the group was amazed by the generosity of the Cromwell community and businesses, who donated items for the auctions and raffles. Prizes offered included a carpet and window clean, a weekend away and magnums of wine. Items auctioned off went for more than they were worth, which was great, she said. Breast cancer was something that affected everyone, Ms Renfree said: one of her friends was going through treatment. Co-organiser Sharon Conaboy said there was good awareness of the Breast Cancer Foundation. The lunch was a joyful event. Ms Renfree said it was remarkably well received by attendees, with one even getting up at the end to thank the group of organisers for their efforts. Ms Renfree hoped to aim even higher next year for the group's fundraising goal.