Cricketing great has them tickled pink

There was a sea of pink at Shepparton Harness Racing Club last Sunday when the club hosted the annual Pacing for Pink Day, with organizers hitting previous fundraisers for “six”!

Former Australian cricket legend Glenn McGrath played his part in bowling over the previous records for the harness racing breast cancer campaign in a fun and generosity-filled day.

The “pink” meeting, in aid of the McGrath Foundation, helps raise awareness for breast cancer and boost funds to support the work of Breast Care Nurses around Australia.

“Glenn was awesome. He just wandered around chatting to race goers and signing t-shirts, bats, even a couple of sets of pacing for pink drivers’ pants! He made the day,” co-ordinator Marg Watson said.

“We were so thrilled when we were told Glenn would be attending. He’s a lovely person and I must say that he pays everything for himself—there were no costs to the club or the Foundation with having him here, so what a wonderful contribution.”

Pacing for Pink began 11 years ago at Shepparton’s sister club of Cobram, and has grown astronomically since, this year going “national” for the first time.

It started as a one-off race day for female drivers, with the “pink pants” initiative beginning several years later.  This year the “pink pants” are being worn by 172 male and female drivers, who’ve each found sponsors to contribute to their involvement.

“Last year we made $66,000 during the month—the way it’s going so far we’ll certainly get to our goal of $100,000 which is extraordinary. It will be the biggest yet and something we could have only dreamed about,” Marg said.

Pacing for Pink was switched to the Shepparton host club two years ago, and “pink day” for Mothers’ Day this year helped to continue driving the growth.

“The people at Shepparton have been so generous and they were again this year. It’s not a one man show, it’s a lot of work by a lot of people over a long period of time.  There are sponsors, donors, volunteers and of course the drivers and their supporters, who are promoting Pacing for Pink in every State in the country right through May,” Marg said.

“It’s a big team effort and we couldn’t do it without people like Colleen Boyington. She takes on the luncheon as her task, doing all the bookings, coordinating the day, fitting the room out.  She is a beautiful person who takes on a lot—and then has to clean up after everyone’s gone home!”

Marg said the proceeds of the luncheon had not yet been calculated, but in excess of $30,000 had been confirmed raised from the day, including a silent auction raising over $12,000 and raffle proceeds of $5126.

“HRV donated $5000 which was a lovely gesture. This was presented by board member Judy Rothacker to Glenn. We also ended up with over $330 from gold coin donations from patrons attending the meeting and $1050 from signed cricket bats. Then buyers got a photo of themselves, Glenn and the bats!”

Club racing and operations manager Ian McDonald said last Sunday had exceeded all expectations.

“There was a fantastic crowd and Glenn just made time for everyone who wandered up to him. Glenn and the McGrath Foundation were quite surprised at how big the event actually was.”

More than 220 people attended the upstairs luncheon, incorporating a ceremony lighting candles in memory of women and men who have been lost to breast cancer.

The crowd and luncheon guests were welcomed by McGrath, who continues the work of the Foundation he started with his late wife Jane, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 31 years of age, and died 11 years later.  One of the foundation’s key aims is to ensure that families experiencing breast cancer have access to a breast care nurse for free, no matter where they live.

The foundation has so far funded 177 Breast Care Nurses in Australian communities.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink