$7500 raised for SES at bowls day

Torquay Lions Club's Bill Ferguson and Brian Keane with Torquay SES unit members Mark Heaysman and Aaron McKercher. (Supplied) 278612_01

Torquay Lions Club’s annual charity bowls day has been hailed as a success after raising $7500 for the Torquay SES Unit.

The charity day went ahead on Friday, April 22 after previously being cancelled in January due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Torquay Lions president Neil Roche said more than 100 generous bowlers from Torquay, Anglesea and Ocean Grove and sponsors helped the club raise much-needed funds for the emergency services unit.

“The weather was perfect for the day’s bowls on Torquay Bowls Club’s two greens with 120

bowlers vying for $700 prize money,” Mr Roche said.

“Raffles and silent auctions were the main fundraisers on the day.”

Mr Roche said the region’s SES volunteers did wonderful work and he hoped the funds would help ensure they had all the necessary equipment to respond to emergencies.

He said not all required equipment was provided by government funding or grants.

He added the day continued the Lions Club’s support for the region’s emergency services.

“The last bowls day we organised raised funds for Torquay and Bellbrae fire brigades,” Mr Roche said.

The day was sponsored by local businesses, who supplied prizes for raffles, including Champion Blinds.

Owner Craig Smith said it was important to support local fundraisers.

“Torquay Lions do a great job in our community,” he said.

“They help out in so many ways, not only raising funds for worthy projects, but also assisting people needing help locally, nationally and internationally.”

Mr Roche said the club had already handed over the funds to the unit, to allow it to be put to use as soon as possible.