Christmas Wonderland hits the $1m mark
Photo: Nev Madsen
TOOWOOMBA Christmas Wonderland event organiser Marshall Cox is ecstatic to have the event exceed the $1 million mark.
The event has raised more than $1 million over the past 15 years and reached the milestone on Thursday night.
The Lions Club of West Toowoomba organises the event to celebrate the festive season while raising funds for community support organisations.
Mr Cox said there was a slow start to the event because of wet and cold weather.
“We had cancelled some evenings, but it sprang back in the last week,” he said.
Mr Cox said he expected this year’s event would be on par with previous years.
“We had about 10,200 people arrive on Sunday night,” he said.
“It’s not only an achievement for the Lion’s Club but also the generosity of the Toowoomba community.”
The proceeds from the event will be donated to beneficiaries in Toowoomba such as Lifeline Darling Downs, the Toowoomba Hospice and the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation.
“It has been a team effort to hold this event,” Mr Cox said.
Lifeline Darling Downs chief executive officer Derek Tuffield said he was grateful for the volunteers’ efforts at Christmas Wonderland.
“Without the work these groups provide, the Christmas Wonderland wouldn’t be what it is,” Mr Cox said.