To launch the beginning of the peach season, Forbes Shire Council Tourism’s Life is Peachy campaign served a range of peach mocktails at the Find It In Forbes Christmas Carnival at the end of last year.

Given the heat on the night, drinks and fruit were very well received and a dozen boxes of fruit were all used and sold.

The sumptuous early season peaches were generously donated by Betland’s Orchard.

More than $500 was raised from the sale of the Forbes Peach Sunrise Mocktail and this week it was presented to the Forbes Can Assist committee.

On behalf of the committee, Maureen and Murray Field accepted the cheque and expressed their thanks to the Betlands and the Forbes Shire Council.

“This money will be used immediately to support Forbes families, of which we have about 70 on our current list, who need help with chemist bills, accommodation and household costs,” Mr Field said.

“We really appreciate this donation as it will go towards the nearly $90,000 a year needed to support these families who are facing a cancer diagnosis,” Mr Field said.

Forbes Can Assist was the first country branch to be opened in 1956 with Jenny Murphy the inaugural president. It has a long history of supporting the local community.

Mrs Field, who has been the treasurer for 17 years, said she thinks Forbes is very supportive of the committee because is a locally administered group which directly helps local families and patients.

Long-time CanAssist president Kerry Dunstan is organising another fundraiser for CanAssist as well as the Breast Cancer Support Group.

He will be walking from Condobolin to Parkes on his 70^th birthday, on March 16, hoping to raise $70,000 for the two local charities. 

You can make a donation into Forbes Cancer Patients Assistance Society’s Bank Account BSB: 032822 Account: 227868.

There’s also a bowls day on March 4 with auctions, raffles and 200 clubs.