Latest News

L-R Lawrence Tavern’s U.G.L.Y. (“Understanding, Generous, Likeable, You”) Bartender challenge volunteer, Debbie Weaver with Siobhan Hoy. Each year the Leukaemia Foundation’s U.G.L.Y. Bartender challenge raises money to support families by providing accommodation for people that have to travel away to Sydney or Brisbane for blood cancer treatment. Image: Lynne Mowbray

Lawrence community dig deep for charity

Lynne Mowbray |

From 1 August until 23 September, bartenders around the country will take on the U.G.L.Y. (“Understanding, Generous, Likeable, You”) Bartender challenge to raise money within their local community to help support Aussie families who are living with blood cancer.

The funds raised will go to support regional and rural families with free accommodation, when they have to travel to the cities for urgent treatment.

For the last four years the Lawrence Tavern has supported the annual U.G.L.Y Bartender challenge which raises money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Lawrence Tavern bartender Debbie Weaver volunteered this year to take on the challenge, in the U.G.L.Y. bartender fundraiser.

“I decided that this year I would put my hand up for it,” Debbie said.

“We’ve done a couple of “100 Clubs” so far and we have a raffle every Saturday, with the money going towards the fund raiser.

“We held a trivia night last Friday night August 2, which was a huge success and we’d like to thank our MC for the evening Tyson Franke, for doing a great job.

“On 17 August the tavern will be hosting the hilarious hypnotist Greg Hudson, with tickets for the show $40 per head, which includes supper and champagne.

“There are limited seats, so people will need to book in early. It should be a very entertaining and fun filled night.

“Mathew Bloomer of Grafton has decided to shave his head and his beard at 7pm on the night with all money going to the UGLY Bartender campaign. Anyone wishing to supports Mats effort can do so at the Lawrence Tavern, Grafton Sheet Metal or message Mat for an online link to donate.

“On 14 September, we will also be holding a seafood night at the tavern.

“We’ve also got other community groups who are getting behind the fundraiser and supporting it,” she said.

The money that’s raised for the Leukaemia Foundation helps support families by providing accommodation for people that have to travel away to Sydney or Brisbane, for treatment.

Lawrence Tavern owner Sally Hoy said that this cause is something that is very close to home for her and her family, as they have already spent eight months away from home supporting their daughter Siobhan as she underwent treatment.

Sally said that accommodation costs are about $80 a night per family.

“We anticipate that we’ll be using another five months of accommodation when we go back up to Brisbane (soon) for Siobhan’s (ongoing) treatment,” Sally said.

“So it’s very close to the heart.

“I’d like to thank Deb and the staff for what they do – they are always 100 percent behind us and they’re amazing,” she said.

Anyone wanting to support Debbie Weaver in the U.G.L.Y. bartender challenge or donate to this worthwhile cause can do so by contacting the Lawrence Tavern on 6647 7213 or donate on line at the address below:

https://secure.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=761529&langPref=en-CA