The Wee Waa and District Cancer Support Group poured love and care into its annual Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser, with Julie and Chris Crutcher kindly hosting the event in their glorious garden and warmly welcoming all members of the community to come along.
“We were very pleased with the turnout and the support,” said the Wee Waa and District Cancer Support Group president Andy Dewson.
An impressive $1296 was raised on the day.
The Biggest Morning Tea is a national initiative established by the Cancer Council and every year it sees people, across the country, putting on the kettle and sharing a cuppa to raise money for a vital cause: “to help raise life-saving funds for the almost 1 in 2 Australians impacted by cancer”.
Proceeds from the Wee Waa tea party will go to the charity as well as to the local support group to directly assist those impacted by the disease in our district.
“It’s probably our biggest external fundraiser. So, we do a few of our own Wee Waa and District Cancer Support Group fundraisers but the Biggest Morning Tea is certainly our biggest that we try to focus on every year,” said Andy.
“It’s also important we keep our name out there because we need to be recognised as a source of support for Wee Waa,” said the Wee Waa and District Cancer Support Group president Andy Dewson.
“Rural communities don’t always have a lot of support when it comes to these sorts of things.
“So, making sure people recognise that we do exist is one of the things that I’m certainly trying to push as president.
“I’m also trying to encourage some younger people to join as well.
“We need to keep it going, keep it vibrant, and make sure that we can try and get a couple of big events going.”
The support group stressed it understands a cancer diagnosis can be very traumatic for patients and their loved ones, and it offers emotional and financial assistance to those impacted to assist with navigating the fear and apprehension that can come with a diagnosis.
Group members cannot approach individuals to offer help but anyone who feels they could benefit are encouraged to get in touch with a friendly and understanding local point-of-contact, who will be respectful of privacy – 0429 073 624.
Assistance is available for cancer sufferers with expenses such as transport and accommodation during treatment.
Inspired to turn his pain into purpose, president Andy Dewson said he joined the group and recently stepped up to the president’s role following his mum’s battle with cancer.
“I was living in Canberra for 15 years before I moved back to Wee Waa in 2019 after my mother was diagnosed with cancer,” said Andy.
“She was diagnosed with lung cancer and I’m an only child. I moved back to take her to treatment.
“I had some family support, which was lucky because I had to still work full-time.
“I came across the cancer support group, and I joined shortly after mum passed away just to make sure that I was giving back.”
“I’ve been part of the group for three or four years now.”
Fundraising for cancer research and support is a cause close to many people’s hearts because sadly the impact of horrible disease is so common, with the Cancer Council stating almost one in two Australians are diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85.
For some, sharing an experience can be a helpful way to find comfort and connection during a tough time.
Wee Waa’s Sue Wager bravely and eloquently shared part of her story at the Biggest Morning Tea event, speaking about her cancer journey and how her faith along with the support of her family, some wise words from new and old friends, and the local community have provided her with strength and hope.
“Certainly, it was wonderful for Sue to give back to the community by sharing her experience.
“For those who do open up, it can be very hard, I know people who haven’t told anybody about this diagnosis because it can be confronting.
“So, it is amazing when someone is able to give a talk to us all, so that people can know they’re not going through this alone.
“I think that’s probably the biggest thing. And, I think Sue touched on the point where she’s healing by also sharing her story as well because she can now see that so many others are affected and that she’s able to that friendship and that connection with others that have gone through cancer as well and how they’ve been able to cope and build capacity back into their lives.”
Since its inception, the national fundraising initiative – The Biggest Morning Tea – has raised more than $224 million through events held Australia-wide for Cancer Council’s life-saving research, prevention, and support programs.
The impressive figure is a testament to the people and organisations, big and small, such as to the Wee Waa cancer support group who rally their communities year after year, to make a positive difference.
Bringing people together in a familiar and friendly setting is a positive part of the Biggest Morning Tea events held across the nation.
The Crutcher’s garden was a beautiful setting, with pretty hot pink tablecloths, roses and hibiscus flowers blooming after the rain and Betty Currey’s famous homegrown roses bringing joy and colour to the community catch-up.
“We were very fortunate to have Julie’s backyard.
“It was very, very beautiful – we were very lucky,” said Andy.
The generosity of the Wee Waa and district community was on display too with a spectacular spread of homemade baked goods, sweet treats, savoury delights, and healthy snacks donated by locals along with prizes for fundraising.
“Everything was donated, everything,” said Andy.
“We’re very fortunate to have so many people who are just willing to go above and beyond to help maintain our little community groups and our little charity groups.
“We’re very fortunate and we’re very grateful to everyone who helped,” said Andy.
