ANDREA LEVER SINGS HER PRAISES FOR COUNTRY HOPE THROUGH THEIR ‘ ON KEY 4 KIDS ’
BY MACLAREN SMITH
Andrea herself raised an astonishing $ 47,000 and a massive $ 280,000 was raised overall by the singers and mentors to support local kids with cancer and life threatening illnesses .
For Andrea , it ’ s very close to her heart after losing her beloved mother and brother to cancer . mention those poor families coping with the grief if their child loses the battle .
“ This is why I am so passionate about fundraising and why I have set an ambitious goal to raise as much money as possible to help these courageous children and their families .
A leading cause of illness and death in Australia is cancer . It ' s estimated that in 2024 there will be around 169,500 cases of cancer diagnosed , and around 52,700 deaths from cancer in the same year according to the Cancer Council .
Andrea Lever , managing director of Ray White Albury North is trying to ease the pain for others by raising money for Country Hope through their ‘ On Key 4 Kids ’. All money raised will stay within the Albury region and will be used towards accommodation , transportation , emotional support services , meals , camps , and more .
“ I understand the devastating impact this illness can have . While nothing can truly prepare a family for the challenges of cancer , I believe in the power of community support to make the journey a little more bearable ,” she said .
“ Watching what my mother and brother went through , I hate to think dear children experience the pain and discomfort that cancer causes , not to
“ This year , knowing the funds will stay locally inspires me to raise as much money as possible with every dollar I raise going directly towards providing emotional , practical , and financial support to these families , ensuring they never have to face this battle alone .
“ This is the reason I stepped outside of my comfort zone and sang in front of hundreds of people and raised just over $ 47,000 .
“ Last year I danced for cancer in ‘ Stars of the Border ’, which is again a cancer charity and raised a little over $ 72,000 , so who knows what ' s next .”
KARLA LYNCH HOSTS HER SIXTH ANNUAL COFFEE , CUTS AND CHATS
BY MACLAREN SMITH
The morning was established six years ago when she and hairdresser Valerie Papas thought it would be a nice idea to provide people who are less fortunate or doing it tough with a free haircut , provide a comfortable environment for them to have chat , and put on coffees , breakfast and provide groceries for them to take away .
“ The idea came to me when I was in Melbourne where I had watched a gentleman giving out free haircuts to the homeless . Everyone loves to be pampered and getting a haircut can feel like a new beginning and a fresh start , it makes you feel confident and beautiful ,” Karla said . community within the centre where they know they can come be looked after and have nothing to worry about for the morning . We put on breakfast in the morning , providing them with coffee , food , chats and canned goods for them to take away .
“ Staff in our office contribute by delivering dry and canned foods , toiletries and essential goods , it ' s become a real team and community effort .
“ We started this event as a way to give back to those less fortunate and I feel that getting a haircut is a simple luxury that can have a profound effect , yet for some people it ' s something they can ' t afford .”
Karla Lynch from Ray White New Farm has recently held her sixth Coffee , Cuts and Chats morning with assistance from her amazing hairdresser .
“ We often get the same clients each time we organise Coffee , Cuts and Chats and have created a lovely