When Lake Cathie Bowling Club bartender Torie signed up for the challenge, she hoped to raise $1,000. Torie was inspired by her step-sister Taz who was diagnosed with leukaemia last year. Taz is continuing to receive treatment and Torie said she “remains tough.”

Torie was overwhelmed when her fundraising target slipped past the $1,000 within two weeks of registering.

“I was a little nervous I wouldn’t reach my target because I’ve never done anything like this before,” Torie said.

“After the first two weeks I increased my target to $2500 and by the end of November I had raised a total of $3409.80.

“I was extremely overwhelmed with this amount. It was amazing how generous people can be.”

Across the state bartenders raised a total of $114,944.

Torie was invited to the Top Ten Ugly Bartenders Awards in Newcastle. She didn’t think she would be among the top earners due to the number of people participating.

“I received a call from the organizers who said I came seventh out of the 250 participants across the state,” Torie said.

“I laughed because I didn’t think I’d do so well coming from a small community up against the larger clubs in Sydney. It goes to show what a generous community we live in.

“Being part of this fundraiser has been great. I’ve met heaps of different people who have in one way or another been touched by leukaemia and have told me their own stories and battles.

“It really is amazing how many people are affected by this terrible disease and this is why we have to keep raising money so we can find a cure.

“I thank everyone who donated to the UGLY Bartender fundraiser, from the generous local businesses to the patrons of the Lake Cathie Bowling Club and my online donors; it truly means a lot. I hope I have the chance to participate again.”