For more than 10 years the Town Hall Hotel at Waratah has proudly sponsored its local cricket team, The Town Hall Smutters.
For more than 10 years, local resident Scotty Harris was a proud member of that team and considered a close friend of the hotel.
Just before Christmas last year, Scotty’s life was cut short when, at just 41 years of age, he lost his fight with cancer.
According to friends, Scotty was a guy who after experiencing some struggles, had his life on track and was looking forward to the future with his partner Tracey.
“He was a decent bloke who just wanted to play cricket, hang out with his mates and he and Tracey were just the kind of people who were always there to help others,” close friend Anita Robinson said.
“That’s why we wanted give something back to the family by organising a fundraiser at The Town Hall.”
Ms Robinson said the fundraiser, entitled Beers and Ball for Scotty, will be held at the hotel this Saturday 24 February, and aims to raise around $3,000 to assist with funeral costs that the family had to borrow.
“Scotty’s partner Tracey also lost her mum just the week before we lost Scotty and things have been rough for everyone,” she said.
“Grant at the hotel has been fabulous and it doesn’t surprise me at all that he was the first one to put his hand up to help out.
“He’s helped organise the night, the pub has donated a bunch of prizes and he has really just been a big part of trying to support the family.”
Town Hall Hotel licensee Grant Wettig said he hoped people would come along on the night to help raise money for the local family.
“We’ve got a sausage sizzle, entertainment, raffles with 100s of prizes to be won, and we just really want to lend a hand to support the family of someone who we considered to be one of our own.”
The fundraiser starts at 4pm at The Town Hall Hotel, 29 Station Street, Waratah on Saturday 24 February.
Donations can be made on the night or by contacting the hotel on (02) 4968 2607 .