Gympie Diggers gala 50th party delivers $50k to cancer charity

Gympie Diggers Football Club’s 50 year anniversary celebrations have delivered a $5000 windfall to the fight against leukaemia thanks to a charity raffle on the night of the event.

Gympie Diggers Football Club’s 50 year anniversary celebrations has delivered a $5000 windfall to the fight against leukaemia thanks to a charity raffle on the night of the event.

Gympie Diggers Football Club’s 50 year anniversary celebrations has delivered a $5000 windfall to the fight against leukaemia thanks to a charity raffle on the night of the event in October.
Diggers president Shirl Bembrick said Tuesday the decision to donate the money to the Leukaemia Foundation came after the club lost a founding member to the disease.

“The night was very successful and a total of $4459 was raised from the auction and raffle sales,” Mrs Bemrick said.

“As a committee we decided to increase the total amount being donated to $5000 to the Leukaemia Foundation.”

The club presented the money to Foundation member David Hancock at the Diggers’ grandstand on Tuesday afternoon.

Paulene Rogers, who was at the cheque presentation, received a bone marrow transplant 32 years ago from her brother.

Her family was accommodated at the Herston leukaemia foundation units, which she said was a “great comfort”.

GALLERY: See the 50th anniversary celebrations here

Gympie Diggers Football Club 50 year anniversary celebrations delivered a $5000 windfall to the fight against leukaemia thanks to a charity raffle on the night of the event.

“David was very appreciative of our fundraising efforts and wanted the opportunity to thank us personally for our donation,” she said.

The Gympie Diggers Football Club was established in 1974 and Mrs Bembrick said it was the only existing club from the original clubs who established Gympie Soccer Association.

“Last season we had 165 players across 17 Miniroos teams from Under 6 to Under 11,” she said.

“We are a family oriented club who aims to provide opportunities for our children to learn the game of soccer in a fun and supportive environment.

“We value the contributions from all our members no matter how big or small as any organisation cannot run without volunteers.

“I on behalf of our committee would like to personally thank all those people who contributed to our 50th Anniversary celebrations and who kindly donated to our charity auction and raffle.

“Without their support we would not have been able to make this donation today.”