What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Recent fundraising events put Mid West’s charitable spirit on full display

West Australians are considered among the most generous people in the world.

And the Mid West even more so.

On Saturday, Mid West Charity Begins at Home staged its gala event — a time when our community comes together to help out those who are less fortunate.

This exciting initiative was held for the first time in a couple of years, due to the COVID pandemic.

It’s a time when everyone gets dressed to have a bit of fun and support a great cause.

But it’s only one of many fundraising events in our region that are well patronised by both sponsors and attendees.

Recently, I have been involved with two fundraising events that have both been running for some time.

The first of these was the Rotary Club of Greater Geraldton’s Radio Auction.

The radio auction has become somewhat an institution, raising tens of thousands of dollars for local causes

For something like 20 years, I have had the pleasure of being part of the on-air team and it has been a blast.

I really enjoy announcing all the donated auction items and the pledges that roll through.

For many years, I have shared a shift with good mate, Glenn Barndon. Being long-time locals, we know a lot of the businesses and people and it’s simply incredible how they keep coming back year after year.

This time around, I teamed up with the incorrigible Grant Woodhams, as we tried to auction off items from trips to Monkey Mia and the Abrolhos Islands, to rounds of golf and pizza vouchers.

All this from our makeshift phone room in the Telstra building on Chapman Road, manned by Rotary club members and friends.

This year, the club once again raised almost $40 000 for a variety of local projects.

And last Monday, I went along to a wonderful occasion to also raise money for those in need, in particular our kids.

On Melbourne Cup eve, Variety Club Geraldton hosted its Melbourne Cup sweep.

Hundreds of locals quickly finished work and headed to the Variety Club shed, tickets in hand, hoping to snag a horse in the Cup.

The winner takes home a handsome booty but the event more importantly raises funds to support local kids that are doing it tough.

And I reckon there isn’t a person who attends that doesn’t go away with a smile on their face, after sharing a few brews, great food and plenty of laughs.

All part and parcel of lending a helping hand to those who need it.

Peter Fiorenza hosts Fiorenza on Sunday between 10am and noon on Radio MAMA