BLOOD cancer is Australia's second biggest cause of cancer death - every day 31 people are diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma.

Five staff from Seagulls Club at Tweed Heads West have been campaigning hard since October to win the prize for UGLY bartender of the year, a fundraising competition for the Leukemia Foundation.

Three of the five employees, Michelle Morgan, Di Wright and Peter Diepenborn were on shift when we dropped in to see how the fundraising was going.

"Wearing the shirts has been a real morale-booster.

"People are constantly encouraging us and asking what it is about," Mrs Wright said.

Armed with the shirts on their backs and collection tins, the team of five have been selling raffle tickets and have so far collected nearly $3000.

"We have collected lots and lots of silver and gold coins - if people don't donate they are ugly, I have been saying," Mr Diepenborn said.

UGLY stands for Understanding, Generous, Likeable You, and the campaign finishes at the club with a cocktail party on Saturday.

Di Wright remembers when a family member had cancer and how hard it was on everyone.

"My cousin had leukemia when I was young and that inspired me. People should get behind causes like this," Mrs Wright said.

There are five prizes up for grabs like an adventure kayak, dinner for two at Mangrove Restaurant inside Seagulls or a Good Guys discount card.

Raffle winners will be drawn at the cocktail party.