Perfect weather conditions ensured a strong turnout on the day, which raised around $3000, all of which will go towards providing Christmas hampers for the needy in our city.

Councillor Bobby Bourke, who is president of the Christmas Miracle Appeal Committee, said yesterday’s event was a great success.

“The Lions Club manned the barbecue and their volunteers came out in numbers,” he said. “We had over 100 people here, everyone got a gift, the kids enjoyed rides and a jumping castle and chocolate milk and we raised about $3000 for the appeal.”

Cr Bourke said appeal organisers were preparing to pack 1200 hampers, and every dollar raised through fundraising effort like yesterday’s bowls day was vital.

“Every dollar counts, which is why we do them; spot the foreign object in the window, bowls days and trivia nights. If we didn’t do them we couldn’t raise the money because we don’t get any funding,” he said.

“But we are really lucky because the volunteers just keep showing up and people come and support us, and the bowls day was a great afternoon for everyone,” he said.

Cr Bourke said yesterday was the start of a busy month for everyone involved in the Christmas Miracle Appeal.

“On Saturday, December 19, we start packing the hampers at Mount Panorama at 8.30am and we want as many people up there as possible,” he said.

“People really look forward to receiving these hampers, I know when we drop them off at nursing homes and retirement villages, it doesn’t matter how small the gift is the smile we get in return is worth a lot more.

“But today has been a great day; we’re happy with the turn out and the great weather also helped, ” he said.