The Jim Bruce Trust’s 2017 marquee at the Port Cup has raised a massive $25,000 to help fund the fight against prostate cancer in the Hastings.
Birdon is a proud supporter of the trust which was established in the wake of the death of Birdon founder, Jim Bruce.
Trust spokesperson Jamie Bruce said the money would be used to continue to fund nurse scholarships as well as a part-time community urology nurse, and vehicle, to visit less mobile patients in their homes.
“We also fund the purchase of vital medical equipment for this area of speciality as well as host events such as health forums and targeted presentations,” he said.
“To date the trust has raised almost $500,000 and we are so grateful to everyone in the community who has got behind this great cause.”
Mr Bruce said the event would not have been as successful without ongoing support from local business such as the Stunned Mullet who catered for the event, Mid North Coast Weddings and Events who styled the marquee and Ella Bache, Coates Hire and Rees Digital who all provided valuable services both on the day and in the lead-up.
The trust was established by the Bruce family following the diagnosis, and subsequent death, of Jim Bruce.
In September 2003, Jim was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. There had been no symptoms and there was no known previous family history of the disease.
Jim lived with cancer for five years before passing away in June 2008. During the latter stages of Jim’s illness, it was not living with cancer that distressed him most; rather it was the ongoing side effects that took away his quality of life and the ability to enjoy his remaining time.
Jim’s wish was, that if the Bruce family was ever able to support a worthy cause, it would be urological care in the Hastings region.