Pink Up Namoi fundraising campaign tops the nation

Narrabri Shire’s McGrath Foundation fundraising campaign has claimed top spot in the charity’s Pink Up Your Town initiative.

The Pink Up Namoi series of events and fundraising initiatives saw more than $106,000 raised across Narrabri, Boggabri, Wee Waa and Baan Baa.

Karen Kirkby, the brainchild of the campaign, set a target of $25,000. She reached that figure more than fours time over.

The Narrabri portion of the campaign was auspiced by the Rotary Club of Narrabri of which Dr Kirkby is a member. The shire-wide campaign stemmed from an initial presentation to the Narrabri Chamber of Commerce which also backed the fundraiser.

Wee Waa and Boggabri chambers also supported the initiative.

Dr Kirkby and the Rotary Club of Narrabri president Darrell Tiemens virtually presented a cheque to the McGrath Foundation at a celebratory club meeting at the Tourist Hotel last Thursday night.

Rotarians, partners and guests filled the private dining room to celebrate the campaign’s success.

McGrath Foundation chief foundation ambassador and director Tracy Bevan, who hopes to visit Narrabri at a later date to thank campaign organisers, spoke to the gathering via Zoom.

Mrs Bevan described the shire’s donation as a phenomenal amount of money.

“We really do appreciate every dollar. You have done incredibly well,” she said.

“I have no doubt that you are the pinkest town on the McGrath Foundation’s calendar.”

Mrs Bevan spoke about her late friend Jane McGrath who founded the charity with her husband, former cricketer Glenn McGrath, in 2005.

Mrs McGrath died following a lengthy battle with cancer, however, Mrs Bevan said she vowed to make sure Mrs McGrath’s work continued after her death.

“Jane said if she could help one family it would be worth starting,” she said of the charity.

Mrs Bevan said there were still 70 communities that do not have access to a breast care nurse.

The local campaign stemmed from Dr Kirkby’s experience battling breast cancer.

Dr Kirkby has been determined to do her utmost to support the foundation in its fundraising for the awareness and prevention of breast cancer and the training and placement of specialist breast cancer nurses in every Australian community.

“I have said the doctors, surgeons and oncologists saved my life, but the breast care nurses saved my sanity,” Dr Kirkby said.

Throughout the campaign, Dr Kirkby said she had been blown away by the continued support of the towns throughout the shire.

“I had my sights set on $25,000. I could never imagine that Pink Up Namoi would raise what it has,” she said.

“That amount is thanks to the support of our fantastic communities as well as the volunteers who have helped me every step of the way.”

Rotary Club president Darrell Tiemens described Dr Kirkby as a champion for her incredible efforts.

“She has done such an incredible job … such an incredible amount of work,” he said.

“We’re just so pleased that our Rotary Club and organisations throughout the shire have participated.

“The shire really was a sea of pink.

“For us to have our own breast care nurse here means so much.”

During Mrs Bevan’s virtual visit to the Rotary meeting, she heard of the many events which contributed to the campaign’s success.

The signature events, the Pink Street Dinner Party in Maitland Street and the Pink Champagne Breakfast at the Tourist Hotel, were a social calendar highlight for the many who attended those events.

In addition to these events, there was also a Pink Up Your Pooch at the Narrabri West lake, a movie night, dragon boat racing at the Narrabri West lake, barbecues, raffles, a men’s breast cancer awareness calendar, as well as fundraising events in Boggabri, Baan Baa, Wee Waa and Maules Creek.