Donation helps boosts Christmas appeal

Of the total $5350 that was raised, $5000 has been donated to the 2BS/Bathurst Lions Christmas Miracle Appeal.

Christmas Miracle Appeal co-ordinator Noela Sikora was thrilled with the donation, which was put towards compiling food hampers for families in need this Christmas.

“We were really delighted to receive such a generous donation from the boxing night,” she said.

“It is a big boost to the Christmas Miracle Appeal.”

The remaining $350 will be presented to the Bathurst PCYC to purchase new boxing equipment for the centre.

The PCYC also raised a further $200 from the sausage sizzle they ran on the night. 

Charity Boxing Night organiser Steve Ellery was amazed at the turnout and said the massive crowd contributed to their sizable donations.

“It was a combination of ticket sales, raffles, and the auction,” he said. “People really dug deep for the auction.” 

Unfortunately, when the fights got underway on December 6 so did the rain, meaning several matches were called off.

Mr Ellery plans to hold another event in February to finish off the fights from the original draw card and perhaps get in a few new ones.

He hopes the crowd will be just as strong at the next Charity Boxing Night and confirmed it would be held indoors this time. 

“We learnt our lesson from having it outdoors,” he joked. “Hopefully we can replicate [the support] again at the next one.”

Mr Ellery would like to thank Luke Bennett plumbing, Health World Gym, Dunbars Scafolding, Bathurst RSL, 2BS, the Western Advocate, PCYC, Liam O’Hara, Nicki and the Paddy’s Hotel, Jess Middleton Chiropractic Health and Wellness Centre, and Scotty from the Knickerbocker Hotel for their generous sponsorship of the event.

He would also like to thank Luke “Got your back” Costello, Bobby Burke, Iris Dorset, Ian North, All Saints’ College, Gerarda Mader and the guys from Warren Hickey’s Sports Karate Australia – and all who came out in the terrible conditions to support the event.