Our family day picnic on Sunday, 5th April, was a great success, with many families attending. Thank you to the families that came and made it such a fun day.

Despite the cloudy morning threatening rain, the sun shone for our sausage sizzle and we had a great spot near the water at Putney Park. There were plenty of activities to watch and participate in, which included several helicopters flying over, a few dragon boats in the bay and an intense game of cricket!

It was an opportunity to meet new people and put faces to voices on the phone. It is always a pleasure to see our fragile x kids get along well together and enjoy themselves. As one mum said: “It was lovely to meet so many other families with such a great turn out and to meet their special people. It is amazing how different and diversely it (Fragile X) affects individuals and one thing still shines through, just how special they are and their caring families.”

Christine

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

For a review of this event please see:  Review of Qld Christmas Fundraising

Christmas carols, carnival rides, entertainment, food and fireworks are all happening this Saturday at Wynnhum Carols by the Bay, Brisbane, supporting the Fragile X Association Australia.

Festivities start at 3pm with a mini fair, music, dance performances and multicultural refreshments. Activities include children’s rides, amusements, pony rides, facepainting and glowsticks. Santa is even planning on coming along in the evening.

Image julie_g Flickr

Raffle

Proceeds of raffle will go to Fragile X Australia. Mel, Janine, Paul and Greg will be walking around the on the day selling tickets. They will be wearing  black Fragile X Association Shirts.

Prizes

• 1st Prize – IT’S A CLASH OF THE FOOTY CODES!
  An AFL Western Bulldogs shirt signed by 2008 Brownlow winner ADAM COONEY. Donated by the Mikkelsen Family PLUS A Seafood Buffet for 2 at the Bronco’s Leagues Club Kindly Donated by the BRONCO’S LEAGUES CLUB
• 2nd Prize – A Kevin O7 Shirt signed by Prime Minister, KEVIN RUDD,
  PLUS A photo of Kevin Rudd and M P Kerry Rea, signed by KEVIN RUDD –Kindly Donated by M P KERRY REA
• 3rd Prize – A Prepaid Mobile Phone – Kindly Donated by ALLPHONES at the MYER CENTRE
• 4th Prize – A Bronco’s cap signed by Bronco and QLD State of Origin Legend – SHANE WEBCKE Donated by the Mikkelsen Family

Kerry Rea MP for Bonner, Qld kindly organised for Kevin Rudd P.M. to sign the Kevin 07 shirt as well as the signed photo.

Kevin Rudd PM and Kerry Rea MP

We are grateful that Kerry has taken the time to learn about Fragile X syndrome, it’s definitely a positive step towards raising awareness about Fragile X syndrome. Our thanks go to Kerry Rae MP and Kevin Rudd PM.

Many thanks to Adam Cooney for taking time out of his busy schedule to sign the T shirt.

Adam Cooney with Chloe and Tom. Tom has Fragile X Syndrome.

Auction

Redlands Ulysses Motor Bike Club Members Kate and Vince will be auctioning off toys. All proceeds will go towards finding a
cure for Fragile X syndrome and towards helping QLD families to travel from QLD to NSW for the Fragile X Syndrome children’s clinics at the Children’s Hospital, Westmead.

Kate and Vince

A huge thank you to Vince and Kate for helping to fundraise for Fragile X syndrome and for raising awareness about the condition.

Carols By the Bay Details

20 DECEMBER 2008

GEORGE CLAYTON PARK, Cnr. of Wynnum Esplanade and Gordon Pde.

Opens – 3pm

Community Carol singing starts at 7:00pm and Santa will be popping in for a visit.

Raffle draw and Fireworks by “Mr. Fireworks” followed by the Fire Twirlers Fireworks at 8:30PM

Details of mini carnivalm entertainment, food and drinks

Schedule of Events

The Fragile X Victoria support group is holding a coffee morning in Frankston on Thursday 11th December 2008 at 10.30 am.

This is a good chance to meet or to catch up with other parents living with Fragile X in the family over a cuppa and in a relaxed setting.