In a mammoth effort, the Cut Out Party in Proserpine has donated $38,000 to RACQ CQ Rescue.
The annual Cut Out Party, which was held in March, celebrates the sugar industry and raises funds for a vital charity in the region each year.
Organising committee member, Amanda Hadlow, said that the event attracted about 250 attendees from across the region.
“The event was an opportunity for the community to come along, share a meal and a few drinks and have a catch up with everyone in the industry whilst reflecting on the last 125 years of sugar in our community,” Amanda said.
The event took 10 months of tireless planning, and was postponed twice, before taking place earlier this year.
The committee is proud to have raised the massive amount for a worthy charity.
“If these funds save one life, it will be worth it,” Amanda said.
“RACQ CQ Rescue does incredible work, day in and day out, and we often see it flying overhead.
We are incredibly proud to play our part and support this community and a lifesaving service which we all hope to never have to use,” she said.
The event included a charity auction, overseen by Robert Murolo from Elders Rural Mackay, and comprised a series of prize donations from attendees, local companies, businesses and organisations, and sponsors.
“We are lucky to live in such a great community. Small towns are just great and incredibly generous too,” Amanda said.
“We could not have achieved this result without the support of so many businesses associated with the sugar industry, the farmers, harvesters and milling sector.”
RACQ CQ Rescue CEO Tim Healee said, “It is reassuring to know local people and industry see the value of donating and supporting our helicopter that is so vital in a time of crisis.”
“We are incredibly fortunate to receive such sweet support and donations like this are an enormous help to ensuring help is available to anyone, anywhere, anytime, throughout Central Queensland.”
