Sports club comes back strong
ORGANISERS of a fund-raiser to help replace $26,000 of stolen funds have dubbed the weekend events a success.
Kirra Sports Club president Glenn Wright said the fundraising had been successful due mainly to the contributions of members and local businesses.
“It's been absolutely fantastic, starting from Friday we've raised a lot of money,” Mr Wright said.
Mr Wright, who takes pride in knowing each member by name, said the response was overwhelming.
“Because of the advertising there are people I've never seen before,” he said.
For long-term members John and Joan Leech, news of the robbery was devastating.
Mr Leech said seeing police on the scene directly after the robbery had been distressing.
“This little club is like a family,” he said. “We come to the club three or four times a week.”
Ms Leech said they made it a priority to support the fundraiser.
“We've already thrown money in the bin and we've had a hamburger and sausage,” she said.
Mr Leech said he still could not comprehend why anybody would target such a small club.
“It'd be a shame if these kinds of places caved in.”
Of the $26,000 stolen from the club, only $10,000 will be replaced from insurance.
Mr Wright said the charity auctions on Friday night alone raised almost a third of the money not covered.
“We won't achieve our goal fully, but it'll be close to the mark.”
Mr Wright said there was an easy way for people to help out.
“The more people we have in the club, the quicker we bounce back.”
