The Laney family of Gymea are among many who have benefited from the IMB Bank Cook Community Classic, which will be held at Cronulla on Sunday.
In its tenth year, the Classic features entertainment and stalls in Cronulla Park, the “Bate Bay Battle” between the four surf clubs and one and two kilometre community ocean swims.
The Classic gives community organisations an opportunity to raise money by selling raffle tickets for donated prizes, which this year include Qantas air tickets to the US, accommodation at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley and Eventhouse, Cronulla, spending money from McDonald’s shire restaurants and Westfield gift cards.
Colin Fletcher contacted the office of Cook MP and federal Treasurer Scott Morrison, who founded the event, seeking raffle tickets for a golf day he was organising to help the Laney family.
Brooke and Carolyn Laney’s daughter, Neave, suffered from a rare skull based bone tumor, which was operated on in Australia, but required further treatment overseas.
More than 160 golfers took part, raising more than $82,000, which far exceeded expectations
Mr Morrison said he was delighted the raffle tickets were used for this purpose as Neave’s parents approached him at the start of this year over their application for federal government financial assistance under the Medical Treatment Overseas Program for their daughter to undergo Proton Beam Therapy in the US.
“Their application met the four mandatory eligibility criteria and was approved in time to allow them to fly to the US in early July,” he said.
Mr Morrison said, with the treatment, Neave’s prospects would be extremely positive.
“Everyone who knows the family is looking forward to seeing Neave grow into a beautiful young lady, free from illness,” he said.