Auction in the pink

By Callan Date
A GROUP of mates are coming together in Pakenham to remember a friend and raise money for cancer.
Amy Wishart and Simon Henry are two of the many people helping organise A Hint of Pink – a gala charity auction to honour their friend Jess Atwell, who lost her battle with cancer in January at the age of 27.
That event, named in honour of their friend’s love of the colour pink, is tipped to attract more than 500 people to the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Pakenham.
The night is being tied in with the Relay for Life cancer fundraiser and more than 60 people have joined Team Jess.
“At the start we thought we would be just selling chocolates or running a raffle but with all the help we have been getting it has turned into a big event,” Amy said.
The enthusiastic group has had Team Jess shirts made up and is trying to promote the event to the wider Casey community.
“We want to raise money in the memory of Jess and at the same time create awareness about cervical cancer,” Amy said.
“We think we can raise about $20,000. With all the support we have been getting from businesses we think we should be able to do it.”
Amy said the group was aiming to encourage anyone wanting to help cancer research to attend the night.
Team Jess members will also hit Akoonah Park in Berwick as part of the Australia-wide relay event in March.
A Hint of Pink will take place on 24 February from 7pm until midnight.
Tickets are $65 and all proceeds go towards cancer research.
For more information about tickets or to donate items for the charity auction contact Simon on 0431 274 673.