Children’s charity is a big winner

By Melissa Meehan
TWO Yarra Junction businesses have raised over $3,800 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
Cunninghams Hotel and Yarra Junction Cellarbrations organised a family fun day on Sunday 16 March to add to the money they have raised throughout the year.
Cunninghams Hotel manager Jenny Downey said that the day, organised by her mother Liz Downey was a huge success, estimating that over 500 people attended the hotel.
Local groups including the Hot Rod Hoodlums, Indians Motorbikes, Morris Minor Club and the Yarra Junction CFA all attended the day at Cunninghams to help raise funds for the worthwhile cause.
“It was wonderful to see that so many people from the community came out, especially in the heat,” Ms Downey said.
“It just shows that the hard work put in by volunteers on the day, and those who helped out in the weeks before really paid off.”
Ms Downey also thanked the local businesses who added to a Easter hamper that was raffled to raise funds for the charity.
Face painting, CUB Carlton Clydesdale horses, and the Paddle Pop Lion were also important factors, which made the day a huge success.
“The band, Last Chance, played all day. I couldn’t believe they performed for so long in the heat, it was wonderful,” Ms Downey said.
Cellarbrations manager Gail Blake said that the CUB Carlton Clydesdale’s were a wonderful part of the day.
“The Clydesdale’s were here for a couple of hours, and the kids were able to come up and pat them, they were just so beautiful,” Mrs Blake said.
She said that over 100 people attended the bottle shop to take part in their Rosemount wine tasting and tasting of the new Cascade Green carbon and emission free beer.
“It was a great day, we still have customers coming in and thanking us for organising something they enjoyed so much,” Mrs Blake said.
“For us it’s really important to provide a community environment where parents can bring their kids.”
Donations can still be made at Cunninghams Hotel and Yarra Junction Cellarbrations.