Raise the Bar – a fundraising event highlighting mateship and a great community spirit.
A fundraising dinner and auction event is being held tonight (Friday 1 June) at EQ Cafe & Lounge in Deakin for Tammie Birch, wife of original ACT Brumbies player Josh Birch, to lighten their financial burden during her fight with cancer.
The lives of Tammie, Josh and their young family have been turned upside down following Tammie’s battle with an aggressive osteosarcoma. Tammie’s treatment has included chemotherapy and the replacement of her knee and thigh muscle. Unfortunately, the cancer has metastasized to her lung, requiring its partial removal.
Many of their friends have come together to put on the 170-seat, sell-out event, dubbed Raise the Bar, with the proceeds going to assisting Josh and Tammie, and their young family, meet the financial burden already borne and the tough road ahead.
Best mate Sven Baker said it was great to see the community coming together to help out.
“Josh is my best mate and seeing first hand what they have had to endure, and the uncertain road ahead, myself and some friends decided we would do what we could to lighten their financial burden during this tough time,” Sven Baker said.
“All too many of us know someone that has been through similar hard times.”
Those other friends include Mark Keogh, Michael D’Elboux, Rob Evans, and EQ owner Wally Rao, who will host the event.
“I’m involved because I’m a loyal friend and they are two of the most beautiful people you could ever meet. We want to help soften their financial burden,” Wally said.
Rob Evans, CEO of ALLBIDS, has come on board to run the auction, both online and at the event, and to manage the pledges of support.
“It’s an all too common problem. We know from close experience the effects that cancer can have on a family and we are happy to help them out,” Rob said.
ALLBIDS General Manager Jo Madsen said running the auction online and live would significantly increase the funds raised on the evening.
“We are involved to make a difference. Allbids will increase the reach from the room and raise more money for Tammie and her family,” Jo said.
There are 40 amazing auction items currently online, including:
- A golfing trip for four to Queenstown in New Zealand, or a $7000 travel voucher with Singapore Airlines or Flight Centre Woden
- NRL Grand Final “Gentleman’s Weekend” for four people, valued at $8000
- Vogue Pergola up to the value of $7000.
Although the dinner is sold out, the general public can go to Allbids.com and bid on these great items. Members of the community can also pledge financial support through the site.
In addition to the auction items, Chief Executive of Football Federation Australia, David Gallop, rugby league great Ian Schubert, and former Brumby and Wallaby Joe Roff will also participate in a roundtable discussion at the Raise the Bar event.
The group of friends are hoping to raise over $100,000 for Tammie and her family to ensure they get as much support as they need.
Go to Allbids.com and bid on these great items and pledge your financial support.
The RiotACT encourages you to get behind this great community event to help Tammie focus on a strong recovery.
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