Liz loves fundraisers
Gladstone state Member of Parliament Liz Cunningham has high praise for her community's fundraising efforts which have helped many worthy causes.
Speaking in parliament on May 31, Mrs Cunningham heaped praise on many recent efforts. The following is a transcript of her speech:
In our line of work, many of us have the privilege of meeting people in our communities who are compassionate and caring.
My electorate has held a number of fundraisers-as I am sure many electorates have-such as the Million Paws Walk and the Little Mater Miracles walk, which were held last weekend and the previous weekend.
Last weekend we had the Old Station Fly in. For many years our previous mayor, George Creed, his wife, Leonie, and their children have fundraised for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Whilst the rain and the chilly weather
may have put some people off, I am sure it increased the sale of rum.
The Luders family of my electorate have a son called Mitchell who has a very serious cancer for which he is receiving treatment. He is a very brave young boy. A friend of the family, Christine Lew, started an auction for Mitchell, who is a Pokemon fiend. He loves Pokemon. It is his wish to go to Japan and see where the Pokemons are made. However, the Make-a-Wish Foundation was not able to help. In order to achieve the goal, Christine and Mitchell's grandmother Marian started the auction online. It took place last week and the week before. They have raised over $8,000. They hope to raise $10,000 in order to take Mitchell to Japan.
The prospect of that wish has kept Mitchell going through his chemo and through his radiation treatment. I put on the record my thanks to Christine, Marian and all of those who helped with formulating and getting the auction ready, collecting donations, delivering prizes that had been purchased-I have a couple; I have a very nice Coca Cola clock-all of the minutia that makes for a successful fundraiser.
We all wish Mitchell a speedy recovery. We wish that once his radiation is finished he has the opportunity to take that trip to Japan and it inspires and encourages him.
We want his mum, dad and family to know that people in Gladstone and environs care, although it was not just people from the Gladstone area who were involved. The bloke who beat me to a holiday lives in South Australia. That is
just wrong!
We want Mitchell's family to be encouraged and to know that people care and are prepared to support them financially, emotionally and in any way possible to see this young man achieve his dream to see where the Pokemons are made and to achieve his dream to be well.
