The driving force behind an annual fundraising event for Brave Hearts on the Murray has been recognised for her efforts.
Debbie Kent has won Local Woman of the Year for the electorate of Albury as part of the NSW Women of the Year Awards for her efforts in helping to raise close to $100,000 for the charity.
Member for Albury Greg Aplin praised Debbie for being an inspiration.
“Debbie sets a great example of what a person can achieve for others,” Mr Aplin said.
“People who know Debbie say she is the driver for this event, taking it from humble beginnings selling raffle tickets to a major event on the Albury social calendar and also in terms of fundraising for the community.
“The Pink Lady Lunch would not have lasted so many years, raised so much money and been so successful without Debbie.”
For Debbie Kent, the idea of creating a luncheon was designed as an alternative to traditional fundraising efforts at the North Albury footy ground.
“I didn’t want to see them standing outside selling raffle tickets in the cold,” Debbie said.
“I thought, I can do better than that. I’ll bring them inside, we’ll put on a lunch and it’s just got bigger and bigger. The ladies are generous, but you know the sad thing is, cancer is very easy to sell because every family knows someone with it.
“The best thing is, all the money stays here in Albury Wodonga and I think that’s also why people are pretty generous.”
