Burradoo resident and breast cancer survivor Glenys Lilliendal has hosted a Biggest Morning Tea for 17 years.
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Glenys’ friend of 50 years, Cairns resident Fay Richards, flew down especially for the event to support her friend.
Fay has hosted her own morning tea for the past eight years, but said she still looked forward to Glenys’ morning tea in the Highlands.
“Glenys is a great friend of mine and we love to support each other,” Fay said.
“She’s been putting on a great event for the last seventeen years.
“I’ve come down to her event a few times now and there’s nothing quite like it.”
Fay hosts her own morning tea in Queensland and Glenys shows her support right back, attending all eight of the morning teas Fay has hosted so far.
“I just love meeting people and sharing stories and experiences with cancer,” she said.
“Glenys and I both put in a lot of hard work. We both do all of our own cooking and buying all our own stuff for the raffles so it’s great when it all comes together and we see everyone enjoying it.”
“It’s a great opportunity to spend some time with friends over some good food and tea, and it’s all for such a good cause. I’ll definitely be back down again for next year’s event.”
Cancer Council NSW community programs coordinator Megan Mattingly attended Glenys’ morning tea and said it was a very successful day.
“I love getting out in the community and meeting amazing people that make the Cancer Council’s work possible,” Ms Mattingly said.
“I think one of the highlights of the day for Glenys’ guests was definitely the huge raffle.
“Almost everyone ended up with a few prizes each. They had a lot of fun.”
Glenys raised a total of $2240 which was her highest amount raised yet.
This brought the total she had raised over the past 17 years to around $20,000.
Glenys said she enjoyed hosting the teas and those who attended enjoyed them just as much.
“Most of the people who come now are the same people who came 17 years ago,” Glenys said.
“This year I had 48 people attend and made tea, coffee, cakes and sandwiches.
“The money raised came from the raffle though. People just love raffles and my friend who knits supplied the prizes.”
Money raised from Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea will fund vital programs within the Highlands area such as Improve Your Long Game at the Highlands Golf Club, Eat It To Beat It and Sun Smart throughout schools.
The money will also support services such as the Southern Highlands General and Practical Support service and Southern Highlands Patient Transport bus.
Registrations are still open for businesses, community groups and individuals to take part.
While the official date is May 24, 2017, teas can be held anytime until the end of June.
Visit www.biggestmorningtea.com.au to register.
If you are hosting a Biggest Morning Tea, please email brooke.gibbs@fairfaxmedia.com.au and we’ll add it to our calendar.