The staff at Kootingal Hotel recently managed to put together a fundraising night that raised $2405 for Tamworth hospital’s Inala House in just over two weeks.

Mr Yeo said his staffers, Sarah Rushbrook and Rachel Booby, deserved full credit for organising the evening so quickly, along with the Kootingal community for making it a success. 

“Kootingal did this, but that’s how it goes with small communities. When something is happening, they don’t hesitate to put their hands in their pockets to help others,” he said.

“The girls found out the D Major choir were coming here for dinner the night before their Sunday performance in Tamworth, and they came to me and asked if it would be alright to have a charity night while they were here,” Mr Yeo said. 

“I told them to go for it and they did.”

Sarah and Rachel not only rustled up support from local individuals to attend, they got Kootingal business people on board, who were generous with their donations for the raffle prizes. 

Mr Yeo said one individual even paid for the cost of the night’s entertainment, Ryan Sampson, who had everyone dancing the night away.

“It was an amazing night, and the girls from the D Majors even got up and sang a couple of songs for us.”

Mr Yeo took the opportunity to look around Inala House and learn more about the service when he presented the fundraising proceeds to its accommodation and support service co-ordinator Shaen Fraser. 

“Inala House is a great, necessary service and, because of my girls, it is great to be able to help it,” Mr Yeo said.

Mrs Fraser said the donation would help keep accommodation costs affordable for those who found themselves a long way from home to undergo cancer treatment at Tamworth hospital.