Over 100 people turned out at the Great Southern Inn on Saturday, raising almost $5500 for Stephanie Robin's U.G.L.Y. bartender fundraiser.
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The family fun day event was Stephanie's last as part of the fundraiser, with the money raised to be split 50-50 between local leukaemia patient Christine Seckold and the Leukaemia Foundation.
With Stephanie having already raised $1600 for Christine through a poker night and silent auction, plus another $1400 already banked for the foundation, the fundraiser netted almost $8500 all up.
An emotional Stephanie was overwhelmed by the turnout when speaking to the gathering on Saturday.
"It started out as just a fundraiser, but it got more personal when one of my best friends' mother was diagnosed," she said.
"I've got so many people to thank - everyone who helped organise it and everyone who donated in any way.
"I have to thank Alan [Clark] and his family, who have been behind this from day one and have helped with all the entertainment, Carlton who have donated a keg, and Leigh [Hennessey] for letting me have it here at the pub.
"Then there are all the local businesses and individuals who donated items and everyone who offered to perform."
Saturday featured musical performances, an auction and raffle draw, and kids' activities including face painting, lucky dips and a popcorn machine.
Stephanie said the auction alone raised over $2000 through items including an Aslings Beach print from local photographer Phillip Small, an Aboriginal artwork from Robyn Stewart and a mini-photoshoot from Serenity Shots photography.
"They didn't muck around, that's for sure," she said.
"I expected maybe $3000 from the whole day, so it nearly doubled my expectations.
"I even had two people, Deidre Kebby and Jenny Robb, go home and bring back things for me to add to the auction.
“What I love about Eden people is that they get together and still pull money out of their pockets to help out whether they’re struggling or not.
"With Christmas upon us, things start to get hard, but everyone was more than happy to throw in their dollars to support one of their own."
Stephanie reserved a special thank you to all the local businesses and individuals who played a part throughout the fundraiser.
"You hear all the time about how we need to shop local and support the locals," she said.
"This showed, more than anything, how true that is.
"Whenever you ask for their help, they come through for you, so we need to support them as well."