Raising money for children's ward

A local hotel is hoping to raise money for the children's ward at Gosford Hospital during Easter, after the success of its raffles in December last year.

The Christmas raffles at the Bayview Hotel raised over $2000 from selling $2 tickets over a three-week period.

Twenty hams were donated by raffle organisers Keith Castle and Jimmy Humphries to give-away as prizes.

Hotel owner Mr Gary Narvo said he was "extremely happy" with the amount of money raised.

"Its great to see the Bayview patrons dig into their pockets for the sick kids at Gosford Hospital, when they don't have much money to spare especially at Christmas time," Mr Narvo said.

"These Bayview battlers have showed just how selfless and compassionate they truly are.

"It is good to see such compassion when there are so many bad things going on elsewhere."

Mr Narvo said he hoped to sell at least 30 hams over the Easter period in an attempt to raise even more funds for the Children's Ward at Gosford Hospital.

"Without the help and determination of Keith and Jimmy we could not have raised all that money," Mr Narvo said.

Clare Graham, 7 Feb 2007