Traditional Christmas Lunch

Tradition is a wonderful word and it exemplifies the Focus Christmas Lunch that is held the second week of December, ending the year for the group, giving members the opportunity to reminisce and, with great pride, to present the result of their fundraising throughout the year.

The Macedon Ranges Focus Group was initially formed as a social group with the support of charities being a side bar of their meetings.  It was felt that, after personal involvement with two families whose children had battled cancer, their energies could be directed towards cancer research and so began their support of CIKA in the late 1990’s.  Raffles are conducted at each monthly get together, a huge trading table heralds the advance of spring and Focus member Lesley McKibbin with her boundless energy organises her ‘Crown Lunches’.  The result of all this work is a wonderful Christmas cheque for the CIKA research fund.

This year we were overwhelmed by the amount: $9,000.00!  This was such a surprise and reflects the kindness and generosity of this wonderful group of supporters.

Once again former Focus president Gwen Kakafikas and her husband Andy presented a cheque for $1000.00 on behalf of their company TBS Australia.  Gwen and Andy have been long time supporters of our work and we appreciate the continued recognition they give to CIKA.

Bronwyn Judge who was formerly a member of Focus has made her home in Bermagui but loves to get back to Victoria to celebrate Christmas with her Focus friends and on behalf of her family presented a personal cheque to CIKA.

These women reflect community kindness and care.  As CIKA president, Sandra Lehrer said in her speech, it is much more than the money that they donate to CIKA; it’s the passion they have for the research we fund and for the constant support that they give us.

On behalf of all the CIKA committee and all of the CIKA families, our thanks and best wishes for Christmas.