It might be the race that stops the nation, but the fun-loving crowd at Nu Nu Restaurant Palm Cove gallop into a good time for Melbourne Cup.
But it's not just about fun times, with the restaurant contributing almost $65,000 during the past 10 years to children's services at Cairns Hospital, via the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.
Co-owner Mo Rowbottom is excited about this year's event, themed 1950s Palm Springs and hopes to again help make sick children's lives more comfortable.
“I have organised a live horse race on the beach, a fantastic salsa band that had everyone up dancing last year, salsa dancers, live and silent auctions, a raffle, racing sweeps and of course, Fashions on the Field,” Ms Rowbottom said.
“My daughter, and my partner's children have grown up learning about the importance of giving back to the community through seeing how hard we work to organise this event, and as they've grown older, to give the cheque to the Hospital Foundation and see first-hand what the money raised will go towards,” she said.
Foundation CEO Tony Franz said it was heart-warming to see people coming together for fun events, while sparing a thought for those in our community who are unwell.
“It was quite a surprise when we went back and saw that the donation we receive from Nunu each year is going up and that they had contributed so much, over the years,” Mr Franz said.
The Nu Nu Restaurant event also will feature live and silent auctions, raffle, sweeps, prizes, roving waiters and incredible support from local sponsors.
Other Melbourne Cup activities in Cairns that make a donation to the Foundation are the Cannon Park race event and Reef Hotel Casino luncheon.
