Racing to extend a hand of help

THE Pakenham Racing Club has donated $3000 to the Victorian Bushfire appeal and was hoping to raise more at its race meet yesterday (Tuesday).
Representatives from the Red Cross and CFA were on course collecting donations after the racing club’s committee pledged $3000 for the fund.
Pakenham Racing Club’s racing manager Michael Hodge said the committee was touched by the weekend’s tragedy.
“The racing community extends right out into all of the rural areas and the racing committee is involved across country Victoria,” he said.
“We have people who have been involved (with the club) that have been affected by the fires.”
Mr Hodge said the committee used the race meeting as a platform to make a difference to those affected.
“Given that we’re racing it’s an opportune time to do something,” he said.
“It would be nice if we could double the $3000.”
People can donate by contacting the secretary’s office on 5941 1207.
In another spontaneous gesture, Coles supermarket at Lakeside gave bags of personal care items to an anonymous couple who went there to purchase the items for those assembled at the cultural centre nearby.
“We went to the cultural centre to offer help,” the pair told the Gazette. The most needed items were toiletries: shaving gear, tissues, combs, toothpaste.
“Coles refused to take our money, filled up the bags, and invited people to come back the next day to register for free items.”
The Upper Beaconsfield Village Festival, to be held this Saturday, will also donate a “sizeable portion” of its proceeds to the Red Cross and Salvation Army to assis fire victims.