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Hastings Cancer Trust coordinator Karen Hinton says she is constantly surprised by the massive contribution the area makes to the cancer cause.
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Mrs Hinton will step down from the role in December. Her replacement, Sue Ryan, will take up the duties in the New Year.
The coordinator says she got involved after relocating from Sydney in 2013.
“I was looking around for a volunteer role that would expose me to local people and organisations, so I could get to know the city and how it works,” Mrs Hinton said.
“The Hastings Cancer Trust really struck a chord, because of my experiences with a friend battling cancer. I also liked the localised concept the trust has.
“Once I started I began to realise there was so much more to the role, particularly in relation to fundraising activities.
“Betty Allman was the head of the fundraising committee for the trust. At the time I joined, Betty had stopped working in that capacity but it was very clear that she had made a massive contribution on behalf of the trust.
“She had a tremendous network. This eventually led in 2016 to the formation of the Friends of the Hastings Cancer Trust, which is a group of people who want to help with fundraising.
“They are very active and productive in that area, organising trivia nights, Marina Prior’s performance at the Glasshouse and also working toward the planned 2018 Ball.”
The Hastings Cancer Trust really struck a chord.
- Karen Hinton
Mrs Hinton said she enjoyed her tenure with the trust but plans to spend more time with her now-retired husband. The couple plan to travel and support family members.
She also plans to take up her paintbrush and capture some of the beautiful scenery around the Mid-North Coast.
Mrs Ryan, who worked for many years with St Agnes Catholic Care of the Aged, says she is ‘impressed’ by the local nature of the trust.
“I will be supporting the trust and (chairman) Dr Stephen Begbie while working alongside the Friends’ group,” she said.
“The trust is really good at filling in the gaps with the community groups and I am really impressed that its focus in on the Camden Haven, Hastings and Macleay area.
“I am quite looking forward to finding out more about how the trust operates.
“But the underlying strength of the trust is the many people who give their time for the fundraising events and also being part of the support network.”