Club hosts event for Grandma

Kimberley Andrews prepares for the pink-themed event. 144467 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By CASEY NEILL

A PAKENHAM mum is holding her tenth Girls’ Night In fund-raiser to honour her late grandmother.
Kimberley Andrews will on Sunday 25 October host a trivia afternoon, silent auction and raffle at Dandenong Club.
“I run this event with the help of my mum and sister, and we decided to run this event in honour of our grandmother – mum’s mum – who had breast cancer and has sadly passed away,” she said.
“She had breast cancer twice and then she passed away of liver cancer in the end. She had quite a big battle.
“It’s also for one of our family friends who also sadly passed away from breast cancer after the first year of our event.”
They’re expecting about 150 ladies to attend – up from 45 at the inaugural event.
“We are sold out at the moment which is wonderful,” Ms Andrews said.
“My goal this year is to break our record from 2013 which was to raise over $5500.
“At the moment, I’m trying to source prizes for our raffle and silent auction from local businesses.”
She has donated more than $30,000 to the Cancer Council during her 10 years of participation in the Girls’ Night In concept, which has been running for 11 years and raises funds and awareness for breast and gynaecological cancers.
“It was something that we could do to give back,” Ms Andrews said.
“I do get a lot of enjoyment out of seeing how much fun everyone has on the day.”
Dandenong Club has donated a room for the event each year.
“And they donate a prize for each person on the winning table to come back and have a meal on them,” she said.
“We’ve had a lot of community support.
“We’ve had lots of other local businesses that have been on board.
“We’re fortunate to have some new supporters this year as well. It’s just getting bigger and better.”
Ms Andrews said the 10th anniversary made the day more special.
“It’s a really lovely achievement,” she said.
“The first time didn’t think about it being an annual thing.
“We have good fun organising it. It’s a busy day but it’s worth it.”
Call 0438 558 893 or email girlsdayfundraiser@hotmail.com to donate cash or prizes.