Charity day for prostate cancer

More than $8000 was raised at the Ron Pursehouse Charity day on Thursday, June 23, at Umina Bowling Club, with the involvement of Everglades, Ettalong and Woy Woy Bowling Clubs.

The Ron Pursehouse Charity Day has been held for the past three years on the anniversary of the death of Umina Beach Men's Bowling Club life member Mr Ron Pursehouse.

It raises money to assist the Central Coast Health in its treatment and research into prostate cancer.

An initiative usually only undertaken by Umina Bowling Club, this year the club was asked to expand the event to include the other bowling clubs on the Peninsula.

"On what was a perfect winter afternoon, 132 bowlers descended on the club for an afternoon of fun and bowls," said Central Coast Health Network media liaison officer Mr Ian Jarratt.

"Several raffles had been organised with donations from a number of businesses and private connections.

"The major prize was a holiday at Forster and two buffet cruises on Sydney Harbour," he said.

An auction of three paintings by local artist Mr Fred Hawkesworth, a basket of goodies from Vittoria Coffee and a unique bottle of port were also auctioned off by Club Umina's general manager Mr James Gallen.

Central Coast Health fundraising manager Mr Jan Richens praised the efforts of all the clubs involved and thanked the Umina Club for including other bowling clubs.

"This inaugural combined event also appears to have been highly successful and we're hoping that the Peninsula clubs will make this an annual fundraiser for prostate cancer," Ms Richens said.

Media Release, 1 Jul 2011 Ian Jarratt, Central Coast Health