A CHURCHILL family is hoping to make this year’s Charity Cocktail Night bigger than ever, and raise thousands to support bereaved families.
Cassandra and Peter Ellerington will host the evening of cocktails, mocktails, canapes, entertainment and auctions on 19 July at Kernot Hall, Morwell, with all money raised going to SIDS and Kids.
The couple, whose triplets were stillborn in 2011, are driven by a desire to support other bereaved families and have raised about $40,000 in just two years of hosting the event.
This amount raised is the result of hard work and many man hours attracting sponsors and donations.
“It consumes you, it really does,” Mr Ellerington said.
“At times we might be up until 2am, 3am or 4am sending emails.
“I am proud of what we’ve done, considering we’ve got no training.”
This year the duo have been able to attract door, raffle prizes and auction items including a signed Hawthorn guernsey, a mountain bike, wine, gift vouchers, hair and beauty packs, and other sports memorabilia.
However, to ensure these efforts reap the greatest reward for the charity, the couple want to increase
attendance from 140 last year to at least 200 people.
“We don’t want to keep relying on our friends to raise the money,” Mr Ellerington said.
“We ummed and ahhed about doing it again this year, but the feedback we received from last year’s event kept us going.”
Mr Ellerington said the couple hoped to replicate the success of the Big Blokes BBQ, while attracting a different crowd.
“We’re encouraging people looking to come to get their friends along too and book a table of 10,” he said.
With all cocktails, basic spirits, beer, wine, mocktails, soft drinks and canapes included in the ticket price, plus live music to entertain, Mr Ellerington was confident attendees would enjoy themselves.
In addition to the event, Mrs Ellerington will sell Red Nose merchandise at Mid Valley Shopping Centre Morwell on Thursday and Friday near the Coles entrance.
For more information or to purchase tickets for $100 each, phone Mrs Ellerington on 0457 823 730, visit www.trybooking,com/85298 or www.facebook.com/#!/DeliveringKindness
