Left: Members of fundraising group Team Jess test out a trampoline donated for their gala auction night at the Cardinia Cultural Centre. Front: Simon, Amanda, Jane, Claire, Amy and Tony. Back: Renee, Alitia, Melissa, Isac, Fiona and Roxanne.By Paul Pickering
THE memory of a cherished friend has inspired a fundraising juggernaut in Narre Warren.
Jess Atwell was 27 when she lost her battle with cervical cancer in January last year – just eight weeks after she was diagnosed.
In a bid to create awareness about the disease, Jess’ friends and family have channelled their energy into organising a team for the Casey Relay For Life, a cancer support event being held at Berwick’s Akoonah Park on 2 March.
Team Jess began as a bid to gain sponsorship for the 24-hour relay event.
None of the original members of the team anticipated the flood of community support attracted by the project.
The team, which now boasts more than 65 members, has evolved into a sophisticated charity machine.
Team Jess will host A Hint of Pink, a gala auction night at the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Pakenham, on 24 February.
The bounty of items donated for auction includes a trampoline, a split-system air-conditioner, two tickets to a Pink concert, six framed AFL jumpers, a Calder Park raceway gold pass and a trip to Cradle Mountain.
“It’s so overwhelming the effort everyone’s put in and the impact it’s had on so many people,” said Jess’ mother, Jane Atwell.
BHP Biliton has offered to match every dollar raised by the team, a projected sum of about $40,000.
Mrs Atwell hopes her daughter’s story, and the journey of Team Jess, alerts people to the cancer’s non-discriminate nature.
“It happens to Joe-average people,” she said.
“As quickly as it happened to Jess it can happen to anyone.”
Tickets are still available for A Hint of Pink.
The $65 ticket will include a $100 voucher from cosmetic company Nutrimetics.
For bookings or information, call the Cardinia Cultural Centre on 1300 887 624.
