While the Saturday, July 26 fundraiser arrives six months before the usual date, it will feature all the trappings of a genuine Christmas get-together, including a two-course traditional dinner featuring glazed ham, turkey, roast vegetables and a traditional Christmas pudding.

However the event will also feature popular Sydney entertainers, the Shuffle Boys, who promise to have guests rocking and rolling with a set of feel good rock ‘n’ roll and swing songs.

Forbes Services Memorial Club function and events manager Jackie Lord said the festivities would be in aid of the local branch of CanAssist.

Jackie said while the club hosted Christmas in July last year, this year’s event would benefit the local community with a proportion of proceeds donated to the local cancer assistance agency.

“We are a community club always seeking opportunities to support the local not-for-profit organisations and for this event we have chosen CanAssist,” Jackie said.

“CanAssist is a great organisation which actively supports local cancer patients and their families. Throughout the years I’m sure CanAssist has helped someone you all know, love and care for and with our community’s constant generosity and support they can continue to help our community, friends and families in their times of need,” she said.

The Christmas in July festivities will also include a CanAssist 200 club, plus a silent auction which has attracted donations from the following businesses: Baa Moo Oink Butchery, Blue Sky, Mitre 10, Hozpots Garden Centre, Betta Home Living, Acheson’s Home Timber and Hardware, Anytime Fitness, Shead and Nicholson, Target Country, Little Extras, Woolworths, Cahill’s Footwear, Undercover Sleepwear and Lingerie, Bernardi’s Supa IGA, and News on Rankin.

Jackie said the club would still welcome any further donations. Jackie can be contacted at 6852-1488 or email functions@forbesservices.com.

CanAssist president Kerry Dunstan said the Forbes branch was fortunate to have the support of Forbes Services Club.

“We are very lucky with the community support, and with the Forbes Services Club, we are very fortunate they are 100 per cent on board with CanAssist,” Kerry said. “Through Jackie, we are very grateful for all her assistance.”

Guests are invited to dress up in the Christmas and rock ‘n’ roll theme with a prize for the best dressed table (up to 10 people).

Tickets to Christmas in July are available from the club now for $40 ($5 from every ticket sold will be donated to CanAssist).