Warwick Water Rats set sights on new high at annual Ladies’ Day charity fundraiser

With a do-or-die rugby clash setting the stage for the annual community fundraiser, the Warwick Water Rats hope to score big both on and off the field at the 2021 Ladies’ Day.

Georgina Marshall and Liz Cowley at the Warwick Water Rats Ladies Day in 2019. Picture: file

Warwick’s rugby union community is set to turn out in style for the Water Rats annual Ladies’ Day event, with the club hoping to raise thousands of dollars for charity.

The afternoon will kick off at 1.30pm on Saturday at Risdon Oval with the do-or-die clash between Warwick and the Condamine Cods, which will decide the B-grade finals line-up.

Ticket holders will be able to watch the exciting match from the designated Ladies’ Day area, which also includes two drinks, a grazing platter, and entry into a lucky door prize.

Water Rats secretary Tess Enchelmaier called on the community rally around the Warwick side, not only to support their on-field efforts but to help raise money for the Little Windmills charity.

“Little Windmills help support seriously sick, injured, or disabled rural or regional kids and their families when they have to go seek treatment in the cities if the local hospital isn’t enough,” Enchelmaier said.

“We all know it can take a toll – even just from Warwick, it’s hard to uproot your life for a little bit to get treated.

“The money we raise on the weekend won’t go to operational costs, it goes directly to the families, so it’s great to know every dollar we raise is going directly to the kids.”

The Water Rats successfully raised more than $8000 for the charity at last year’s Ladies’ Day event, and another $7500 donated the year before.

With Little Windmills CEO Shaun Mackin and charity ambassador and former Wallaby Guy Shepherdson expected to journey to Warwick for the event, Enchelmaier said she hoped to beat the club’s previous fundraising totals.

“Little Windmills is very tied to rugby union – I think nearly all of their ambassadors are players or professional sportspeople – so it’s cool for us as a rugby union club to be helping out,” she said.

“I think they’re bringing out a signed and framed Reds jersey so we can auction it off too, which we’re really looking forward to.

“They’re just generally awesome, they do amazing work, and I couldn’t be more proud to raise money for them.”

Ladies’ Day tickets (with drinks) are $30 per person. Click here to book or purchase on the day.