Charlotte Varcoe
AFTER losing her own children to cancer, Tarpeena resident Poppy Howe began volunteering her time to raising funds for those in need.
Ms Howe first initiated the Tarpeena Cancer Support Group in 2009 after losing her son at a young age to cancer and wished to raise money.
Speaking on behalf of Ms Howe was Tarpeena resident and fellow support group member Shirley Little who said the group initially met every week and has raised a lot of money over the years.
“Poppy was the driver and we continued to meet every second Tuesday but now we only meet once a month,” Ms Little said.
“We have done a lot of fundraising over the years and have donated a lot of money, including $15,000 to the Cancer Council to go towards Greenhill Lodge.
“We also support the fish tank which is in the cancer ward in the Mount Gambier and District Hospital and we have been told it is soothing for people who are having treatment.”
Ms Little said the group had also raised funds for palliative care beds for the Penola Memorial Hospital and provided funding for a machine which helps medical staff find veins on patients.
“All of this money has come from Poppy’s initiative but there has also been a group which can be 10 people or more,” she said.
“At the moment we have four raffles each year and that has brought in about $2500 per year alone.”
Ms Little said there were also donation tins and people generally donated to the group.
“Unfortunately Poppy also lost her daughter to cancer at a young age so we would like to continue volunteering and have the group running for as long as we can,” she said.
“Poppy was the instigator of all this and we want to make sure it continues.”
Ms Howe chimed in saying she was proud of her efforts so far, stating she did not realise how generous people were until they started donating.
“People are very generous and we really appreciate it,” Ms Howe said.
“I am happy about the achievements the group has made and it feels good knowing what we have achieved.
“We are all a group and we all stick together and do what we can which has turned out really good.”
