By David Kavanagh | posted on February 6, 2020
ALBANY sport and recreation clubs received a significant boost to their coffers recently as part of Albany Community Bank’s pilot ‘Get in the Game’ raffle initiative.
Twenty sporting groups from across town raised a total $71,835 selling tickets for the raffle, with all proceeds going directly to the clubs.
The money will be used on items including new equipment and to support local sport programs, such as Albany Surf Life Saving Club’s nipper and youth sessions.
Bank Community Engagement Officer Lyn Lutley described the fundraiser as a success.
She said that the participating clubs eventually sold 14,367 of the 25,000 tickets printed by the bank.
“Sport and rec are always looking for money and support, they’re made up largely of volunteers,” Ms Lutley said.
“For the bank to be successful and deliver these sort of funding programs for areas of need, we need to build business within the community.”
The raffle draw on Friday was conducted by Branch Manager Natasha Thompson and South Stirling-born field hockey star Kathryn Slattery.
Ms Slattery told the gathering at the bank’s Centennial Park branch that it was always great to support local sport.
“I think it’s a great initiative from the bank and obviously I’m really happy to be involved in the program for this, picking out the names,” she said.
Arthur Gorman was the lucky winner of the first place $15,000 cash prize, while Mat Thompson, Denise Lucas, Eden Gray, Peter Muller and Linda Urry each received $1000 as runner-ups.
Albany Community Bank, a branch of Bendigo Bank, will host an information session regarding further sport and rec funding opportunities on March 26.
The organisation’s board is run by volunteers, with 80 per cent of its profits going back into the community.