Race twist for cancer funds

By Lia Bichel
GIRLS just wanna have fun – and local ladies are showing they can do so while raising money for women’s cancer.
Berwick resident Nikki Williams, along with her mother Heather and sister Kathryn, joined a country-wide effort to raise money for the Cancer Council by holding a Girls Night In on Saturday.
Nikki’s and Kathryn’s cousin Matthew, 8, and about 15 ladies attended the event, which was the fourth of its kind held by the Williams family.
This year the trio added a little twist to mark the Cox Plate.
“The last two years we held cooking-themed event when we asked everyone to bring a nibbles dish and we voted on our favourites,” Nikki said.
“Everyone had a great time but this year we decided to try something different and so held it during the Cox Plate and made it a racing theme.”
Guests were asked to dress in racing gear and participate in a range of racing games and sweeps on the day.
They also held a blind auction, where the guests placed bids on surprise items, donated from Big Sky Credit Union, Trafalgar First Aid and Deb Australia. Guests also donated $5 for goody-bags.
They raised $549.60 from the Girls Night In, and hope to raise more money next year.
“Each year, we raise a little bit more money and learn a little bit more about the best way to do things,” Nikki said.
“And every year when people leave, they say they will be back next year and we don’t want to let them down. Hopefully, next year will be just as successful.”
Nikki said it was important to hold the event and raise awareness about cancer, and she urged other ladies to host a Girls Night In.
“Cancer is something that impacts everyone and our family is no exception – this year alone our family has been touched in many ways by different cancers,” Nikki said.
“Cancer is something that touches everyone’s life in one way or another and yet so little known about the causes.
“It makes it really hard to deal with and some people really don’t know how to talk about it.
“We need to do everything we can to support people battling with cancer because they need all the support they can get.
“With something like the Girls Night In, it is really just about recognising the impact and trying to make a small difference.
“We all had a fantastic day and lots of fun, but the reason why we were doing the event was always just beyond the surface.”
To learn more about Girls Night In and how to donate, visit www.girlsnightin.com.au.