By TANIA PHILLIPS
THE Stockyard Hotel in Warwick is a hive of activity at the best of times but more so at the moment as two of their own work hard to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Nora Hancock and Tiana Bowyer have entered this year’s U.G.L.Y. (Understanding Generous Likeable You) Bartender of the Year.
The event is the Leukaemia Foundation’s hospitality industry fund-raising competition.
Since the campaign’s launch in 2009 U.G.L.Y. Bartenders around Australia have raised over $8 million to help people with blood cancer.
“We decided to get involved, it’s a good fund-raiser and helps a lot of people,” Nora said.
“It is a lot working, ringing around and organising things but it all seems to be going pretty well.
“We are hoping to raise $4000 to $5000 we would be happy even if we made $2000. Every little bit helps and it’s all going to a very good cause.”
She said the pair had a lot of support from the community so far, and from the hotel too.
“The hotel’s social club has donated $1000 from their raffles,” she said.
The other big fund-raiser has been a series of bus tours that Nora has been organising – the first one was held a couple of weeks ago and travelled around the area close to Warwick, the next, heading down to Boonah will be held this Sunday and has already attracted 40 patrons for a day of drinks, lunch and raffles. A third one, heading out Goodiwindi way will be held in August.
Cora said anyone interested in the bus trips or making a donation can contact her at the hotel.
All money raised goes to the Leukaemia Foundation to help them with them with the running of their accommodation complexes located near major treatment centres around Australia.
The free apartments, townhouses and units are designed as a complete ‘home-away-from-home’ for patients, carers and their families who have to temporarily relocate from regional and rural areas for specialist treatment.
Provided at no cost, the Leukaemia Foundation’s accommodation ensures residents have a space they can call their own during what can be a challenging and difficult period.
The support the Leukaemia Foundation provides through its accommodation program can relieve patients and their carers/families of the emotional and financial stress of relocation, and patients’ stays can vary from two nights to two years, depending on the treatments required.
Since U.G.L.Y. Bartender of the Year was launched nationally in 2009 U.G.L.Y. Bartenders have provided over 100,000 nights of accommodation for people when they need this help the most.
In 2015 U.G.L.Y raised $2 million.
