WHAT started as a world record bid for the longest line of coins ended as a "substantial" pile to help Ballarat's cancer wellness programs get through the pandemic.
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As community groups grapple with losses in fundraising opportunities and sponsorship, it has also been a hard hit for Ballarat not-for-profits that rely solely on community efforts and philanthropy.
Many major Ballarat charity events have been cancelled while other organisations are fighting to make things work - even creating major non-events.
Coin world record campaign lead Shane Darroch is also a key organiser for the annual Winter Wellness Ball to support Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre's cancer wellness programs. The ball was cancelled, raffles were pretty much out but he had a growing line of coins.
The Guinness World Record attempt pegged for Llanberris Reserve last December was postponed to collect a little more change. Summer bushfires made the attempt seem inappropriate and then the pandemic, where coins have become somewhat of a taboo.
"It'll be a long time before we can even attempt to do it so all the money raised when straight to the wellness centre rather than sitting in a bank account doing nothing," Mr Darroch said.
"You really feel for operations and organisations who rely on fundraising. (Going for a world record) was ticking all the boxes when we thought of it, but we had to pull up stumps."
It'll be a long time before we can even attempt to do it so all the money raised when straight to the wellness centre rather than sitting in a bank account doing nothing.
- Shane Darroch, coin world record attempt organiser
Cancer experts have made clear cancer has not stopped during the pandemic. Neither has the critical work at Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.
The Ballarat institute is the only regional cancer research facility in Australia and receives no government funding.
Mass participation event Ballarat Cycle Classic weeks before lockdowns raised $300,000 to launch a new breast cancer project, but the team has had to be creative in changing up events to fund ongoing research and issue sample work.
FECRI raised $10,000, near on value, from an online wine auction and captured attention late last month for UnGala - encouraging people to stay home, bling up their trackies, order takeaway, dance and donate what they could for not attending a ball.
The Ballarat Foundation has also adopted a pay-what-you-can approach for its major run fun Run For a Cause with participants urged to pledge a distance and donation to complete next month.
Virtual runs have risen in popularity and The Ballarat Foundation is using its to support children's literacy, a community issue it identifies as exacerbated in the pandemic.
IN OTHER NEWS
Ballarat Arts Foundation put out a community call for help when it had an unprecedented ask in applications to help emerging visual and performing arts talent.
This year marks BAFs 20th year in grant-giving.
BAF chairman Paula Nicholson said while some events were grounded, the board focused on its core purpose, to give out money.
The application and interview process moved online and while Ms Nicholson said this did take extra effort and energy to best meet everyone, it has opened the foundation's eyes up to what was possible.
Our publicity is stronger because online has become the only way to communicate now.
- Paula Nicholson, Ballarat Arts Foundation chairman
"We've been able to engage the community more," Ms Nicholson said. "Our publicity is stronger because online has become the only way to communicate now."
Meanwhile, Cancer Council Victoria has put a call out for Ballarat women to host a Girls Night In event (within restrictions). The annual event support Cancer Council's work with women who have a breast or gynaecological cancer.
As yet, no-one this spring has stepped up to the challenge.
Cancer Council data shows 228 women in City of Ballarat were diagnosed with breast cancer from 2016 to 2018 and in the same period, 83 women were diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer (such as cervical, ovarian, vulva and uterine cancers). Details: cancervic.org.au.
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