Well aware of just how blessed she is that her own two young children are not fighting the disease, Mel had seen too many friends impacted by the illness to just sit back and watch.

“I have a few friends whose children are battling cancer and it is just incomprehensible to me to think how I would react if it were my children,” she said.

Singleton is a very supportive community and local businesses are always willing to put their hand in their pocket for a good cause. Mel was overwhelmed by the response she has had from Singletonians in support of a Shop Till You Drop fundraiser she is coordinating.

The Singleton Argus reports on a number of fundraisers that are held throughout the community each year with many major events such as Relay for Life, Girls Night In, Biggest Morning Tea, Pink Ribbon Breakfasts and many more generating huge support and involvement from Singleton.

So far over 30 businesses have joined together to offer a fantastic day of early Christmas shopping bargains, family fun and fundraising opportunities.

Held at Whittingham Hall on Sunday November 15 from 11am to 3pm the day will include raffles, lucky door prizes and a barbecue lunch to help raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia.

“I have to extend a huge thank you to Marcus Kirkwood who has donated an amazing Nintendo Wii package,” Mel said, explaining the huge gratitude she feels towards the many people who have offered things.

“It has been tremendous, small butchers and salons have been so willing to support what I am trying to do and I am so thankful for it.

“Of course I am still taking phone calls if anyone wants to have a stall on the day or donate for raffles and prizes.”

Incredibly pleased with how well the organisation of the day is going, Mel hopes that it will be so successful that it could be made an annual event.

“I just wanted to do something for these families,” she said.

Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research (CCIA) is the only independent medical research institute in Australia dedicated to research into the causes, prevention, better treatments and ultimately a cure for childhood cancer.

If anyone is interested in having a stall on the day or donating items for prizes call Mel on 6573 3854.