COMMUNITY spirit was high in Coleraine on Saturday as people from near and far came together to raise money for Adam McClure’s daughters at ‘The Last 50 Stroke for an Amazing Bloke’ fundraiser.

The event was held at the Coleraine Showgrounds and saw around 1000 people attend to raise money for a trust fund for Frankie and Annabelle McClure after their father Adam, who was born and raised in Coleraine, was tragically killed in a car accident near Beaufort, in December last year.

Committee member, Eisha McKerlie said she was “blown away” by the outcome of the event and people’s generosity on the day.

“It was amazing - truly incredible,” she said.

“Everybody’s generosity and the support was unbelievable. 

“I think it’ll sink in later today when we finally take a break but on the day we were just looking around thinking ‘look how many people are here, this is amazing’.

“Everyone had a good time and we just want to thank everyone for coming, and for their support and donations and help.”

In honour of Adam McClure, who was a local shearer - a Quick Shear event was held at the fundraiser which Ms McKerlie said was one of the highlights of the day.  

“We had to cut entries off at 2 o’clock for the Quick Shear because we had filled 75 slots,” she said.

“We had people travel from Morwell, New South Wales, and South Australia just to be there.

“It was very good to see such great support.”

Ms McKerlie said the auction was also a success and the committee was thankful to all local businesses and companies that donated goods.

“We haven’t done any final figures yet, but we made around $40,000 from the auction alone,” she said.

“We had over 60 items that had been donated from various local businesses and companies.

“Everything from crayfish, wood, signed football jumpers, other footy merchandise, it sort of covered everyone in some way.”

The event also had activities for kids including jumping castles, Jamie and Kim’s mobile zoo, slushies and fairy floss.

While they had not yet finished calculating the money raised at the event, Ms McKerlie said she felt confident they had raised a significant amount of money for the trust fund for Adam’s daughters.

“The whole committee was just blown away with everyone’s support and generosity - people were driving down to the gate and handing over $100 note donations,” she said.

“Throughout the event people were coming up to the committee members and handing over cheques and cash.

“We also had shearing singlets in kids and adult sizes and polo tops sponsored by the Coleraine Hotel for sale, which sold out.

“And we had stubby holders sponsored by the Heywood Hotel for sale on the day and we sold over 400 on Saturday.

“It was amazing to help the girls and set them up for the future.”

Ms McKerlie said she was overwhelmed by the support shown from the local community, not only on the day but also leading up to the event.

“The community’s support was incredible, we had people wanting to help us through the whole planning and organising, and on the day we had community members coming up asking if there was anything they could do to help,” she said.

For anyone who couldn’t attend the event on Saturday, the committee are still accepting donations and anyone who is interested can contact Mathew Fitzgerald on 0409 560 734.