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Wagga RSL Men’s Bowling Club has been supporting the children’s ward since 2008. Photo: Supplied.
Wagga lawn bowlers, after a busy year of fundraising, have delivered a dose of Christmas cheer to sick kids who need it.
Despite a tough year for many charities and tightening household budgets, the Wagga RSL Men’s Bowling Club has donated almost $4000 to the Children’s Ward at the Wagga Base Hospital.
The lads have held a string of fundraising efforts over the year, including raffles and barbecues, and bowlers put money in the kitty when they make repeated mistakes.
“Peter O’Brien’s Hot Bake donates pies every Tuesday night to us, and we sell them here to raise the money,” says club member Jack Whyte.
“At the end of each month, we have a raffle and a barbecue and we do things like if they do a wrong bias [curl the ball in the wrong direction], they put $1 in the box.”
The initiative started back in 2008 and Jack was full of praise for the efforts of the bowlers and greenkeepers who supported the events.
“They’re the ones that do it and they contribute all the money, buying the raffle tickets and all the pies.”
The money raised will go towards the purchase of much-needed equipment for the Children’s Ward, ongoing staff education and play therapy equipment for the youngsters.
“We’ve been doing it now for nine years for the kids’ ward,” says Jack.
“We don’t give it to the hospital, we give it directly to the children.
“This year they’ve got to buy educational stuff for the kids and they’ve got a play area up there and they’re gonna spend it in the play area.”
Jack says the RSL Men’s Bowling Club was proud to support the Children’s Ward.
“It’s something good, isn’t it,” he says with a smile.