What began as a heartfelt way to honour her late mother has grown into a major community event.
Megan Petit, owner of local business Simple, held her second annual A Day for Kerry fundraiser on Friday, and the result was nothing short of remarkable — $10,000 raised for the Young Oncology Unit.
“This year we more than doubled what we raised last year,” Megan said.
“Last year we raised about $4,500 and I honestly thought $10,000 was just a dream, but we made it.”
The fundraiser, named in memory of Megan’s mum Kerry who passed away from brain cancer, takes place each year around her birthday on July 2.
Latest Stories
The event brings the community together over coffee and Kerry’s favourite treat, orange cake, with every dollar going directly to improving local cancer care.
“All funds from coffee, cakes and cookies were donated, and our eldest daughter Pip added her own touch by donating proceeds from her Pip Jewellery pieces,” Megan said.
“Our youngest, Lil, was smashing it in the kitchen all day, and my husband Simon was on hand for anything we needed. It’s very much a family effort.”
Local businesses also played a big role in the success of the day.
Academy Coffee covered the coffee costs, Donges IGA supplied milk, and Diverse Range donated packaging, cups and trays.
“So many businesses chipped in — it’s just incredible generosity,” Megan said.
Supporting local cancer patients
The funds raised will support the Young Oncology Unit, which Megan says is vital for the region.
“We are so lucky to have this service in a town our size,” she said.
“Originally, the community raised huge funds to get the unit up and running. It means patients don’t have to travel as far for treatment, and that makes an enormous difference.”
Megan explained that while her mum didn’t get to use the unit, the cause is deeply personal.
“It’s amazing when you start talking about it how many people have a story connected to the oncology unit,” she said.
“We’re lucky to have the staff we do, they’re just fabulous.”
Beyond treatment, Megan hopes to help with the little things that make a big difference for patients.
“There’s a wig library, but a lot of wigs are expensive — up to $1,000 or more,” she said.
“For many patients, it’s not about vanity. One woman said to me that wearing a wig meant she could go down the street without people looking at her with pity. It allowed her to feel normal.”
Looking ahead, Megan says A Day for Kerry will remain focused on supporting the oncology unit and patient comfort.
“We’ve already got ideas for next year, but I think we’ll stick with this cause for a while,” she said.
“There’s so much more we can do.”
Megan summed it up simply: “It’s the generosity of this town that blows me away.
I just open the coffee window, and the community does the rest.”
