Joan Reynolds will auction off all these donated items at her Biggest Morning Tea on Friday, with all proceeds going towards cancer research. 31381 Picture: Luke Plummer
By Bridget Cook
FOR the past 10 years Narre Warren resident Joan Reynolds has hosted up to 40 women in her home for the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea.
Each year, not only has the occasion grown but the amount of money raised for the Cancer Council has increased considerably. Last year she raised more than $1200 for cancer research.
While Mrs Reynolds organises the event herself and cooks all the morning tea, it is through the help of local traders and her friends and family, who donate items for a raffle and auction, which make the event possible.
“People donate goods that they have around their home including knitted items, books, mugs and toiletries, that they don’t necessarily use, and we auction them off,” Mrs Reynolds said. “Even if we can get just a couple of dollars for them it is still money that can be donated.”
Mrs Reynolds said she started running the morning tea as she thought it would be a great way to bring her friends together for a good cause.
“I saw it as a good chance to get my friends together, plus you just never know what’s around the corner health-wise,” she said.
This Friday she is holding the fundraiser again, and said she will continue the tradition for many more years to come.
