Lunch raises $10M

IT’S A BLOKE THING CELEBRATES MORE THAN $10 MILLION RAISED OVER 10 YEARS FOR PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS

ONE of Australia’s biggest charity lunches has celebrated a decade of fundraising for a vital cause. It’s A Bloke Thing returned to Wellcamp Airport in style on Friday, with the event raising more than $10M since its inception.

ONE of Australia’s biggest charity lunches has celebrated a decade of fundraising for a vital cause.

It’s A Bloke Thing returned to Wellcamp Airport in style on Friday, with hundreds of guests treated to a surprise performance from ARIA award-winning Brisbane band Sheppard.

And like every year, the guests were kept under wraps until the fundraiser began.

“We keep our surprise guest identities under wraps until the day of the event. While we know that people are excited to see our entertainers and while we are so lucky to be able to attract internationally known performers, we want them attending the lunch to support our prostate cancer charity first and foremost,” foundation chairman Marcus Barnard said.

Since its inception 10 years ago, the event has raised more than $10 million to support prostate cancer research, care and education.

It has also extended to the Northern Territory and the Gold Coast.

Mr Barnard said he was grateful for the many individuals, families and businesses that came on board to support the charity each year.

“We know majority of prostate cancer sufferers come from rural and regional

Communities across Australia and we are extremely proud of how our regional community has raised such record-breaking funds for the cause,” he said.

“From our generous community in Queensland and the support of our Australian special guests we are continuing to take our charities message from Toowoomba to the rest of the world.”

Previous surprise guests at the event have included Ronan Keating and Keith Urban.

The 2019 event raised more than $2 million, which organisers hoped to top this year after Covid forced its cancellation in 2020.

Sheppard performs at It's A Bloke Thing on Friday.

Catching up at It’s A Bloke Thing are (from left) Aleisha Wilson, It's a Bloke Thing education program facilitator Ruth Logan and Katie Dwan.

Attending It's A Bloke Thing 2021 are (from left) Sarah Gleeson, Anna Crampton, Katrina Eames and Jacinta Klarich.

Rhonda Gaffney (left) and Vanessa Gleeson.

Kate Greer with her mum Mary Wagner.

At It’s A Bloke Thing are Ash and Meg Milner.

Pictures: Kevin Farmer HERE’S CHESS: At It's A Bloke Thing 2021 are (from left) Alice McGowan, Sophie-Rose Greer and Tess Wagner.

Jacinta Deakin (left) and Kelli Russell.

Miriam Spina (left) and Emma Rackley.