‘Made my world’: How donation will help hundreds of locals

The Toowoomba community and Redcliffe Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett came together to make a generous donation at The Chronicle’s Club recent event. Details here.

No eyes were left dry at The Chronicle’s Club event this month, after Tony’s Kitchen founder Tony Hurle accepted a cheque for the generous donations made by guests on the night.

Raising $5000 in proceeds for the charity which helps people experiencing homelessness or who are struggling to put food on the table, Mr Hurle said the funds would go a long away, especially at this time of year.

“During Christmas time we get about 10 requests a week from people who need support, so this money will go a long way in helping others,” he said.

“Lately we’ve seen a big increase in people needing food and we are working in the kitchen 365 days a year … it’s struggle street.”

At the Club Chronicle event are (from left) The Chronicle general manager Erika Brayshaw, Tony's Kitchen founder Tony Hurle, Redcliffe Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett, Tony's Kitchen volunteer Carlie Mclaughlin and The Chronicle editor Jordan Philp.

Mr Hurle said the donation would be used to help fund emergency hampers and possibly even a Christmas ham for those in need.

During Covid-19, the kitchen faced a decline in public donations, with many of the volunteers using their own money to fund the special work the charity does.

Appreciative of the community’s contributions over the years, Mr Hurle said the kitchen’s doorbell is always ringing in the lead up to Christmas.

“It’s like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get,” he said.

“Every afternoon there’s something whether it’s 100 loaves of bread or three bottles of milk and we just wouldn’t be able to do what we do without this community.”

Wayne Bennett's troubles continued at Knight's training this morning as it was announced star fullback Darius Boyd had been hospitalised with depression. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

NRL legend and Redcliffe Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett attended the event and opened up about his successful career when he was interviewed by The Chronicle editor Jordan Philp.

A self-proclaimed Queensland Maroons fan, Mr Hurle said the night was all the more special as he was able to meet his childhood idol in the flesh.

“Growing up I really looked up to Wayne because he doesn’t change who he is for anyone and he displayed deep truthfulness and courage when people didn’t believe in him, but look how far he has come,” Mr Hurle said.

“I really left the event with a spring in my step after hearing his story – it really made my world.”