TRANGIE district supporters of the McGrath Foundation gained extra interest from visitors during the annual Pink Lamb Auction at Dubbo on Monday, raising more than double its normal figure.
After nearly being cancelled because of the drought $10,390 was raised from the eight donated lambs and 20 bales of prime lucerne hay donated by Trangie producers.
Organiser Shane Dolton said in the 10 years the auction has been held, the amount raised averaged between $4000 to $6000.
While he had doubts about running the auction this year, Mr Dolton said he was talked into it.
"This year I wasn't going to do it because of the drought and the farmers from Trangie and Narromine said, 'Shane keep it up and we'll keep it going'," he said.
Two of the lambs were purchased by Kylie Walsh from Sydney.
She was in the region for a shopping trip with her DiJONES colleagues when they heard about the charity event late on Sunday night and decided to attend.
"It's very close to my heart because I was diagnosed with cancer three years ago," Ms Walsh said.
She is also from the bush herself, having grown up between Boggabri and Narrabri.
"My dad is an old cow cocky so you wait until I ring and say I've paid $2000 for a sheep. It'll be interesting on the other end of the phone. But it's a great cause so it's nice to get amongst it and see so many good things happening in the drought," Ms Walsh said.
The sheep she purchased were donated back and sold again, while the 20 bales of hay Ms Walsh purchased will go to her family's property.
Selling agent Peter Cruickshank of Trangie, said his brother, Don of Wee Waa, had lambs selling in the prime sale that morning and volunteered to cart the hay back on his return home.
The money will help fund Dubbo's two breast care nurses and Mr Dolton said he hoped to get more for the region.
In addition to the lamb auction, $2500 was raised for the McGrath Foundation on Sunday at the Narromine Golf Club's pink day with another $1000 from the annual bowls day at Trangie.
On January 4 will be the Pink Pigeon Twilight Bowls in Trangie, followed by the pink pigeon race on January 5.
"A year that's filled with misery could turn to joy for some people," Mr Dolton said.
"I've never had breast cancer, none of my family have ever had breast cancer, but I think it's a great cause."
The annual pink pigeon race from Narromine to Trangie calcutta raised $3500 with pigeons being released on the first day of the Sydney Pink Test Cricket match on Friday, January 3 next year.
Since the first fundraiser in 2011 the total money raised for the McGrath Foundation through lamb sales tallies near $80,000 while bowls, golf and pigeon calcutta have added an extra $150,000 - plus.
