Can Assist provided assistance and care to cancer patients and their families through their network of branches and accommodation facilities. Each year more than $1.7 million goes directly to supporting people with cancer in rural NSW.

The 12 months leading up to August 2008 the Bathurst branch of Can Assist provided $37,800 in assistance to local patients and their families. All requests for help are confidential and usually come from hospital social workers or treating doctors.

The 2009 Black Toyota Gold Crown Carnival will provide an opportunity to raise much-needed funds. Fundraising activities will include raffle ticket sales by Can Assist and also the 2009 Miss Gold Crown Entrants themselves at the race meetings and social events hosted over the 10 day carnival.

Can Assist volunteers will also sell raffle tickets in the local shopping precinct both Saturdays (March 21 and 28) of the carnival and through Daffodil Cottage. A seafood and chicken night dinner will incorporate a charity auction, with this event to be held in the trackside marquee Friday, March 20. Bathurst Can Assist president June Darke said: ‘Without this type of continuing support Can Assist would not be able to provide the high level of support we currently do.”