Fifth annual Dare to Dream Relay High Tea raises more than $15,000 to support regional cancer patients

The community displayed incredible spirit by uniting for a cause that strikes at the heart of many families, raising funds to help ease the burden on country cancer patients. The fifth annual Dare to Dream Relay High Tea was a success on Sunday at Emu Creek Gardens, 20 minutes from Geraldton, with 120 people turning out to raise more than $15,000 — the biggest result to date. A scrumptious assortment of savoury and sweet foods were served, with more than 40 raffles offering a variety of prizes. Janet Daly spoke to the audience about her own cancer journey. The Geraldton woman was diagnosed with melanoma in 2019 after she noticed a mark on her left arm, and then in 2022 with lymphoma after discovering a lump on her neck. She is now in remission, but encouraged everyone to “follow their gut” with their own health. “If something doesn’t feel right, get it checked . . . because the earlier the better,” she said. Event organiser Dianne Grima said the inspiration for the high tea was about supporting country people on their difficult cancer journeys. She said people in Perth had no idea the extra burden country cancer sufferers faced by having to wait for appointments or leave their homes and support network to access treatment. “If we couldn’t support country people, we wouldn’t be doing this,” she said. Ms Grima said she had been “reduced to tears” by the team’s tireless efforts and the amount of support received from the local community and beyond — with some of the donors coming from Queensland and South Australia. The money will go towards the ongoing adoption of five rooms at Crawford Lodge and Milroy Lodge in Perth, which offer a home away from home for regional cancer patients. Over the past five years, the annual high tea has raised $79,000. On Sunday, the best-dressed lady was judged to be Noleen Hadley, while Natasha Vaietta won the tea bag throwing competition, with a throw of 10.1m and Jessica Puglia won a ring from Gemara Fine Jewellery.