BENDIGO Health has received a much welcomed $27,000 boost following last month's Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch fundraiser.
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The 10th anniversary lunch, held at Bendigo Stadium, drew a crowd of more than 400 people to help raise valuable funds for the Prostate Cancer Federation of Australia, Bendigo Health and the local prostate cancer support group.
The Friday, November 22 lunch was headlined by former footy stars Mark Maclure and Barry Breen, together with funnyman Tom Siegert, aka The Suburban Footballer.
Blokes Lunch organising committee chairman Neil Macdonald announced on Wednesday that Bendigo Health was to be allocated $27,000 from monies raised on the day, in keeping with the practice of recent years.
"As a group we are very pleased and proud to support our local hospital and all the great work it does for and on behalf of the community.
"We know this $27,000 will be put to good use to support men's health programs, and we also want to acknowledge the other worthy fundraising groups within our community who support our region's health providers continue to do work that ultimately will save lives."
The Blokes Lunch concept was the brainchild of McPherson Media Group's Chris McPherson AM, who dedicated much of his life to promoting awareness of prostate cancer and raising as much money as possible for research into the disease.
Mr McPherson eventually succumbed to the disease, but his legacy lives on with the Blokes Lunch initiative that started in Shepparton before spreading to Bendigo, followed by Echuca, Mildura, Gippsland, Melbourne and beyond.
The Bendigo lunches have raised more than $800,000 for the PCFA and other locally based support groups in the past decade.
Mr Macdonald said organisers were already looking ahead to the 2020 Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch fundraiser, which will once again be held at Bendigo Stadium.
"Our formula for success is simple - we provide a fun day's entertainment, with quality speakers and everyone is there to support a very worthy cause.
"I also want to wish our sponsors, our supporters and all those who have helped us for their generosity over the past ten years, and wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas.
"I also remind everyone to continue to keep an eye on their health, and to look out and after one another."
