Teddy Bear's Picnic
IF YOU went down to Pottsville beach today.
You were sure of a big surprise.
There were lots of snags and sweet treats to be had.
And teddy bears of all shapes, colours and size.
For today was the day the Pottsville Beach Cabarita Beach Lions Club held its Biggest Barbecue and Teddy Bear's Picnic.
President Vicky Hansen said the event in support of the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation was a perfect rainy day activity.
"It's a bit of a varied crowd today, and people have come and gone as they pleased," Ms Hansen said.
"This is our inaugural Biggest Barbecue for kids with cancer, and we're raising as much as we can."
The barbecue and teddy bear's picnic was a community supported event.
Local businesses are rallying behind the club for its upcoming Greenback Tailor Fishing Competition on June 9 and 10 at Cabarita Beach.
Ms Hansen said today was about getting the Lions and young Leos out into the community.
"We've got about 14 Leos helping, and our club actually has more Leos than Lions, which says good things about the area's youth.
"We're always happy to take new members - preferably if they're under-60."
She said there was a wide age gap between the age of Leos and Lions, as only the very old or young could find time to volunteer.
Many children were enjoying the free face painting, teddy bear judging and storytelling.
The Pottsville Community Preschool set up a cake and biscuit stall to help raise further funds.
Ms Hansen said the club would do it all again but "ask for sunshine" next year.
"The kids are having a ball - they don't care about the weather," she said.
The foundation's trustee Jim Ede said it never ceased to amaze him what Australians could do when working together.
"Who would have though the good old Aussie Barbie could have been used to help Lions raise over $4.5 million for childhood cancer research?
"Well that's what we have done, but the job's not over.
"More than 6000 Australian kids are diagnosed every year with various forms of childhood cancer and unfortunately we are still seeing around three children dying every week.
"We believe every child deserves the chance at a healthy life," Mr Ede said.
