Glen Innes Activities fundraising coordinator Nat Ward said 215 ladies attended what she believed to be one of the most successful nights ever held.

“We had 215 ladies attend our annual Glen Innes ladies night raising money for camp quality,” she told The Examiner.

“It was massive and was very successful compared to last year where we had 130 people.”

Guest speaker for the evening was well-known Michael Crossland who spoke about his journey through surviving cancer.

“He was a childhood cancer patient and became involved in Camp Quality as a companion,” Mrs Ward said. 

“Now he is the Camp Quality ambassador.”

In the last 12 months Mr Crossland has presented in front of over 250,000 people around the globe.

Recently, he has released his first ‘tell all’ autobiography, which is now a number one bestseller across six different countries.

At the ladies night, Mrs Ward said after a delicious meal served up by the RSL Club, Mr Crossland orchestrated the evening’s action.

“We had penny raffles, a photo booth and pamper sessions,” she said.

“A solid $15,240 was raised on the night with attendance, raffles, the penny auction and the auction.

“We had businesses donate items and our highest auction prize went for $400.”

The prize was Mr Crossland’s ‘thank you’ gift, a basket of local goodies including jam from the Super Strawberry and a mug – it was won by Chelsea Hillier.

And it wasn’t just locals that came to grab a glimpse of the action. The Ladies Night Out has become quite an annual institution, with many regulars returning each year, as well as newcomers.

“We have some ladies who come over from Inverell every year,” Mrs Ward said.

“We always get amazing support from the new people who come and those who come every year.”

The night also featured a visit by the Camp Quality mascot, Giggle.

“We had the giggle mascot come this year which is the first time it’s come,” she said.

Camp Quality raises money for children between the ages of zero and 13 who are living with cancer.

Right from diagnosis, throughout treatment and in remission or bereavement, the Camp Quality programs are designed to support the whole family; at hospital, at home, back at school and away from it all.

Last year the ladies night saw almost $12,000 raised for the Camp Quality charity, funding two camps a year for five families battling childhood cancer.