ORGANISERS of the Millicent Give a Toss for Cancer Day are “completely floored” after more than 600 people flocked to the Domain on Sunday for the inaugural event.
Warm weather attracted residents and locals to the parklands where more than 50 stalls selling homemade produce, candles, bric-a-brac and clothing lined the perimeter.
Youngsters were kept entertained with face painting and a jumping castle, while live music, the snake display, a fancy dress pet competition and a bra and underwear tree toss ensured laughs a plenty throughout the crowd.
Event committee member Maureen Boyton said organisers were confident they had smashed their initial $3000 fundraising goal.
“I was expecting it to be a good day, but it completely overwhelming to see the amount of people there,” she said.
“At around 10.30am we stood back and I was just completely floored because the place was packed.
“At Christmas we had 25 stalls and we were aiming for 30, but we ended up with 58 stalls which we were not expecting at all.”
Ms Boyton commended the work of the small organising committee, local businesses and the general public for ensuring the event’s success.
“None of us in the committee had ever organised a fundraiser before and we had no idea of the expectations of the day,” she said.
“It was designed to get people to Millicent for the day and it worked.
“The location was perfect, the feedback has been fantastic and everyone, from the stallholders to the people who came, cannot wait to do it again next year.
“We’d like to thank the community and the businesses that donated because the day would not be possible.”
Ms Boyton said the total fundraising amount would be calculated later this week, with all funds going towards Cancer SA Research.
“Next year we’re going to be raising funds for Beyond Blue, because depression and suicide is a huge issue in our community,” she said.
“We have got a lot to learn, but it can only get bigger and better from here.”
