In memory of their patriarch, Pakenham’s Clough family has helped raise $46,000 for local charities and pancreatic cancer research.
The Clough Charity Race Night was held at Pakenham Racecourse on Thursday 12 May with over 200 guests in attendance, raising money for the Pancare Foundation, Frankie’s Community Kitchen, Make-a-Wish Cardinia- Casey Branch and Cardinia Foundation.
Each charity received $7000.
The night was in memory of Bruce Clough, the beloved Mazda businessman who passed from a battle of pancreatic cancer over six years ago.
Cardinia Foundation representative Brett Owen said the $7000 go towards the foundation’s annual grant scheme.
“It is very much appreciation and it will go back into the Cardinia community,” Mr Owen said.
“It’s quite significant.”
Kathy Mayus president of Make-a-Wish Cardinia- Casey Branch said their donation would go towards the 32 local children who were waiting for wishes to be granted.
“It was important for the Clough family for the money to go to help local children. We are only restricted by the child’s imagination.”
Led by Bruce’s daughter-in-law, Tamara Clough, the fundraising event banded the community through dining, auctions and awards with a great result of fun and funds raised toward these worthy causes.
“Throughout the night we held a live auction, silent auction, raffles, picking competition and everyone gave so generously. Over the last three events (2018, 2019 and 2022) we have raised a total of $118K,“ she said.
“It’s a little bit overwhelming to be presenting the charities with the cheques. It feels good to help make a difference.”
In recognition and celebration of Bruce, over the past three annual race nights the Clough family have raised over $118,000 to fight pancreatic cancer.
Pakenham Mazda business development manager Wade Calderwood said he helped create the concept with the family in 2017.
“Since then it’s gone from strength to strength,“ he said.
“Bruce was the patriarch of the family and was a local icon. He created a tow service vehicle in the mid-1970s in Nar Nar Goon before he started selling cars.“
