Tash Furnell works behind the bar at the Australian Hotel and has taken out first place in the NSW/ACT U.G.L.Y. (Understanding Generous Likeable You) Bartender competition.

During October and November, more than 290 bartenders across NSW and ACT hosted a wide range of activities to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation, and Tash beat the lot after raising $13,639.70.

“It was amazing. I’m so overwhelmed by the help of the community,” she said.

“I’ve doubled the amount that we raised last year, so why not have a go at it again next year?

“I was overwhelmed with the help given by everybody. Damo, Glenda and Gary and everyone helped contribute in the pub.”

Tiffany Smith, from the Tudor Hotel in Tamworth, claimed fourth prize in the competition.

Ms Furnell said she had received a lot of feedback from locals who had been touched by leukaemia in some way.

“Heaps of people have told me that the money definitely comes back to Inverell, so that’s very good to hear. It makes me happy to hear that,” she said.

– The Inverell Times