Hargreaves enjoyed the challenge at Mr Fraser’s house.
SEVEN barbecue “pit masters” from Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula went dish for dish to raise money for cancer services at Peninsula Health last week.
The cook-off was not for the faint-hearted and late risers. Winner Brenton Thomas – who prepared a delicious beef brisket – fired up his barbecue at 4am for the 6pm event.
Take a Break for Cancer is a Peninsula Health initiative to raise funds for oncology services at Frankston and Rosebud hospitals. People were asked to host a gathering and encourage guests to contribute what they could to help fund world-class cancer services.
Every year more than 1500 new cases of cancer are diagnosed in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula.
Last year, patients received 8000 cancer treatments in the day chemotherapy units at Frankston and Rosebud hospitals.
“The BBQ Bonanza was all about having fun with friends and enjoying some delicious food for a good cause,” said Mt Eliza resident James Fraser, who organised the Take a Break for Cancer event.
“We’d thought about organising an event like this for a while, so we decided to actually do it and raise some money for cancer while we were at it.”
About 30 people attended the event on 17 June and raised $632 for the cause.
Those who did the cooking didn’t know what meat they were to prepare until a week beforehand. They then researched their recipe and cooked the meat so it was ready to be judged by 6pm on the day. They were scored on taste, presentation, texture and creativity.
Mr Fraser, an electrician, is no stranger to Peninsula Health as his partner Steph Kierce is a graduate nurse at Frankston Hospital.
She encouraged him to host the Take a Break for Cancer event.
Ms Kierce knows first-hand the importance of being able to provide local people with the best possible health care, on their doorstep.
“I recently completed my first rotation on Bass Ward at Frankston Hospital and I cared for many patients with bowel cancer after they had surgery,” she said.
“As well as a stay in hospital after their operation, these patients often have chemotherapy and attend various medical appointments and tests. It’s important they can access the cancer treatment they need locally, without having to travel all the way to the city.”
Register for a Take a Break for Cancer at peninsulahealth.org.au online.
It can be for an afternoon tea, trivia night, sausage sizzle or something a bit different.