“We’ve got a goal of raising $100,000 to buy life-changing equipment for Bellingen hospital,” said Lions Club of Bellingen Treasurer Jim Forbes.

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Reaching this amount requires the support of four or five other local organisations, which is a collaboration Mr Forbes is working hard to coordinate.

“With other clubs and community groups running their own project, but adding their profits to the one pot, we should be well on our way to raising the target,” he told the News Of The Area.

“Added to that, the Australian Lions Foundation will match our share dollar for dollar [and] there are other programs that donate and grant funds, which we are hoping will help us reach that ambitious goal.”

Last year, the Lions Club of Bellingen raised $20,000 to buy a state-of-the-art vaccine fridge and portable oxygen concentrators for Bellinger River District Hospital.

In conversations with hospital staff this year, Mr Forbes asked for their wish list.

“The items [requested were] specialist pieces of equipment: a new ultrasound machine and an electric wheelchair.”

The club’s cake stall is outside News Extra Bellingen Newsagency on Hyde Street on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout November.

In December the stall will operate daily.

“All the businesses in town have contributed raffle prizes and the real estate agencies have been very generous,” Mr Forbes said.

“Half the businesses are already selling Lions Club cakes and puddings.”

Feeling positive about the feedback from clubs and community groups, Mr Forbes is confident he can soon announce the team players in this local fundraiser.

“We can’t do this on our own, but together we can be a super fundraising force – we can do this.”

By Andrea FERRARI