Again in recent times (it’s nothing new) we have seen a vast range of events and activities to raise money for those who need assistance.
On Sunday there were two worthy fundraisers - a high tea at Picnic Point to support well-known local Deb Murray adjust to life with less mobility than she has been used to, and a Deni Dog Walk to accumulate more funds for Vince Kelly and his Tour de Cure ride for cancer research. This follows a successful golf day in February which raised more than $5000 for the cause.
But these are only two of numerous local fundraising events.
We had the Can Assist High Tea, being the latest activity for this organisation which was formed only a couple of years ago to help local people with the costs associated with cancer treatments. In its short existence Deni Can Assist has raised more than $50,000.
There was also Cupid’s Undie Run, a unique event that raises funds for the Children’s Tumour Foundation and was initiated after local youngster Eddie Marshall’s diagnosis with neurofibromatosis type 1.
The undie runs were held throughout Australia, but it was Deniliquin which was the most successful, attracting 110 participants and the highest per capita fundraising total. The day generated more than $23,000.
We also have ongoing smaller fundraisers, with various generous locals participating in activities such as Shave for a Cure, supporting the Leukaemia Foundation. They never have a shortage of supporters.
And how could we write about the personal contribution of local people to help others without mentioning Brenda Norman’s incredible swim across the English Channel to raise funds and awareness for youth mental health. The benefits of that are playing out with various events to provide education and help tackle youth mental health in our community.
We have a seemingly never-ending number of residents prepared to sit outside the newsagency or IGA - or utilise the Cressy St kiosk - to sell raffle tickets for a plethora of worthy causes. They do this because they know fellow community members will continue their amazing generosity.
Then there have been the ongoing efforts to raise money for our drought-stricken farmers.
We may be going through tough times, which hopefully will ease with lots of rain before too long, but through it all we have a generosity and compassion in our community that should not go unnoticed.
When one of our own is facing challenges, there will be others close by, ready and willing to offer the support for which country people are renowned. It is yet another of the many advantages that go hand in hand with rural living.