On December 20th, 2008, the Wynnum Christmas Carols were held at the Bandstand Park in Wynnum. The Spring Committee who organize the Christmas carols, chose Fragile X as one of the charities they would support at their fantastic carol event.

On the night of the carols, Janine Peate, Paul (my husband), Vince and Kate from the Ulysses Motor Bike Club, and I sold as many raffle tickets as we possibly could! It was lovely to have Kate and Vince on board help us sell raffle tickets at the markets for Fragile X syndrome. We are very appreciative of their kindness and sacrificing their Sunday’s to help us sell raffle tickets.

Garry Tom of the Spring Committee, gave us a lovely surprise. Garry heard about the Fragile X Association, and our need to raise money for research into Fragile X and other Fragile X related projects. Garry thoughtfully took it upon himself to organize his own FX raffle. Garry raffled off some meat trays, generously donated by the butcher’s at Save City in Cannon Hill, and fruit trays kindly donated from Perry’s Fruit Shop in Wynnum Central and from Wondall Road Fruit Barn in Manly West. On the night, Garry raised $216, for the Fragile X Association. It was a marvelous effort from Garry, who had just come out of hospital, after suffering illness from diabetes.

Over the few weeks leading up to Christmas Paul, Kate, Vince and I sold raffle tickets and FX Christmas cards at the Manly markets. In total we sold 185 packs of Christmas cards. With Christmas card sales, the FX raffle, the meat and fruit tray raffle organised by Garry Tom and Kate and Vince’s toy auction we raised a total of $2860.

Special thanks for helping to raise FX awareness goes to:

• The Peate Family – Janine and Greg for helping sell raffle tickets on the night and to their boys Pete (fx) and Geoffrey (fx) who drew the raffle for me, the boys did a wonderful job.
• Vince and Kate from the Ulysses – who helped us sell lots of Christmas cards and raffle tickets at the Manly markets and for organizing their toy auction.
• Barry Myatt Realty – who ran our FX colouring-in competition. Barry was also MC on the night of the Christmas carols, and did an amazing job.
• The Spring Parade Committee – who organise the carols and the spring parade. They are a very special, kind hearted group of individuals, who take time out of their busy schedules to organize fairly large community events. On the night of the Christmas carols, they plugged Fragile X like crazy!
• David – who runs the Manly Creative Markets at Manly Harbour Village
• Steve – Steve’s RC toy’s (from the Manly Creative Markets) donated a remote control Jet ski