A CANCER patient will take the trip of a lifetime on a Kimberley Cruise after his daughter bought tickets in a raffle raising money for cancer patients in the Far North.
Jocelyn Harris’ mum originally saw the raffle on a work email and suggested the whole family buy tickets as she wanted to win it.
Miss Harris bought 35 tickets in the Coral Expeditions Cruise, hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, for $100 and couldn’t believe it when her name was drawn.
“Mum and Dad have actually wanted to go on a Kimberley Cruise for years now, they were planning to go a couple of years ago but the timing didn’t work out and they didn’t end up going,” Miss Harris said.
“Dad was diagnosed with throat cancer at the start of 2022 and spent most of the year in Brisbane for treatment. He was then diagnosed with lung cancer at the beginning of this year. Thankfully he has been able to receive immunotherapy treatment in Cairns. Mum really wanted to win this prize but also because the funds support the Hospital Foundation, and importantly the Cancer Care Hub, which we’ve been grateful to have here in Cairns. I’d love to give this to them after a tough couple of years, they deserve an amazing holiday.”
The $34, 000 cruise for two was donated by local company Coral Expeditions, as a way of supporting the community in which it operates.
Commercial Director Jeff Gillies said the company was proud to partner with the Foundation and looked forward to continuing long into the future.
“Now in our 40th year of operation, we are one of the region’s and state’s largest tourism businesses and the largest employer and trainer of seafarers in the country. We have over 300 employees and thousands of guests with generational connections in FNQ and we cannot think of a more worthy and progressive fundraising partner to work with. We hope our 2023 prize-winner has the adventure of a lifetime onboard in the Kimberley and we thank the Foundation team for the opportunity to assist a great cause,” Mr Gillies said.
Funds raised from the cruise went towards the BDO Arrow Experience fundraising tally – which supported the Foundation’s Cancer Care Hub fundraiser. More than $1.5 million was raised during the campaign in just seven months.
Gail Westaway won the $5000 worth of Trinity Petroleum fuel, after buying $250 worth of tickets from a Foundation volunteer at Smithfield Shopping Centre.
Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said Jocelyn’s win ticked all the boxes for being a heart-warming outcome.
“It makes us all so happy that the raffle was fundraising for cancer patients and now we have a cancer patient who’s going to enjoy it. It is really special,” Mrs Hogan said.
BDO CEO Stacey Young extended her heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to all who played in a part in making the BDO Arrow Experience a success.
“Your generosity and commitment are making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by cancer in our region. This remarkable fundraising milestone shows that when a community comes together with a shared purpose, incredible things can be accomplished,” Mrs Young said.
Photo: Coral Expeditions' Jeff Gillies, fuel voucher winner Gail Westaway, Maree and Mick Harris, Foundation CEO Gina Hogan, cruise winner Jocelyn Harris and BDO Cairns CEO Stacey Young.
