Queens for a good cause

By Lia Bichel
BOYS donned dresses and heels to battle it out for a pageant title to raise thousands of dollars for a good cause.
Bec’s Troops held The Miss Peter Mac Pageant 2012 at Glen Waverley Community Centre on the weekend to raise money for the 2012 Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac).
As reported in last week’s News, Melissa ‘Liss’ Ramsden and a “troop” of 14 other friends will cycle 200km from Melbourne through the Yarra Valley in memory of their friend, Lysterfield resident Rebecca ‘Bec’ Jago, who died after a five-year-battle with cancer In October.
They are required to raise $2500 or $37,500 as a team. The drag queen pageant event on the weekend raised a total of $15,211, propelling them to the top fundraisers out of about 200 teams.
“We are thrilled to pieces at the outcome and have received a lot of praise,” Liss said.
“A lot of people said that it was the most they have laughed in years.”
Liss organised the event with three other members of Bec’s Troops, Natalie Cousins, Amy Morgan and Karina Doig, with the help of the rest of the teams and some hesitant but generous male friends of Bec’s.
“All the boys were a bit hesitant to get involved at the start but once they saw how much it meant to us they were all more than willing to give it everything they had… even willing enough to get fake tans and wear glittery false eye lashes,” Liss said.
“We spent numerous hours emailing and phoning companies to donate items for the silent auction, organising decorations, costumes and props, and of course we spent many many hours getting our boys into shape. We had several dance practices where the boys were able to learn each of their talent routines as well as try on their costumes and learn two group dances that were performed.”
Bec’s brother Tom Jago, was crowned the winner of the entertaining event.
Liss said she was grateful for all the participants and thankful to everyone who donated items including Rowville Party Supplies, Ceres Calisthenics College, Hawthorn, Geelong and Essendon football clubs, Flash Fabulous Photo Booths and Active Display Group.
For information on fundraising events visit www.facebook.com/becstroops.
To donate to the team, visit www.conquercancer. org.au and search for Bec’s troops.