Manly goes pink for breast cancer care

Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club was a sea of pink on Sunday to welcome Hugh Bateman and his pink tractor.

The real estate agent and auctioneer is driving 2600kms through NSW with hopes to raise awareness and $250,000 in funding for the McGrath Foundation.

NSW Premier Mike Baird and former cricketer Glenn McGrath attended the event, along with locals and the Nipper from the life saving club, and said they were impressed with Mr Bateman’s fundraising efforts.

“Hats off to Hugh, I don’t think anyone would think about driving a tractor 2600kms when he can only go about 20 kms an hour,” said Mr Baird.

“He’s done a great job, and as he’s gone around to towns to communities like this he not only raises funds but reminds us of the work that’s being done.”

McGrath said it was incredible of Mr Bateman to give up his time for a cause that’s close to his heart.

“You realise the generosity of people, and the stories I’ve heard from Hugh where people just stop him and donate money, I think’s amazing and pretty special,” said McGrath, who is the co-founder and CEO of the McGrath foundation.

Mr Bateman has raised $160,000 so far, and has another eight stops to go before he returns to Mudgee by October 31.

He said he was driven to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation to the growth in breast cancer diagnosis, but also because of the practical support provided by the foundation’s nurses. 

“We have 105 McGrath nurses around Australia and we need to build those numbers up, give them more hours but also have more of these ladies and gentlemen on the ground because they do a great job,” said Mr Bateman.

McGrath said the breast care nurses are very important, especially in rural and regional Australia.

“It’s tough enough going through breast cancer itself, and if you have to have time away from the family it makes it so much tougher,” McGrath said.

“It’s show that having a breast care nurse makes it so much easier. The outcome is both physically and psychologically improved, and that’s what it’s about: quality of life.” 

The event was organised by Cunningham’s Real Estate director John Cunningham, who said the whole industry jumped on board when Mr Bateman took his fundraising idea to them.

“Within our group of agents in the Real Estate Results Network we support each other, so when someone comes up with an idea it’s all in,” said Mr Cunningham, whose agency presented Mr Bateman with a cheque for $15,000.

“It’s amazing what he’s doing, and what’s great is that in each place he’s been visiting, each agency is doing a different event.”

Real Estate Results Network CEO Michael Sheargold​ said the support from the network of members has been amazing, with agencies hosting everything from morning tea events to a gala ball which will be held in Lakes Entrance next Friday.

Mr Bateman is pleased with the response he’s had so far, which has included police pulling his tractor over so they could donate.

“It’s great to see people caring so much and the response in terms of monetary amounts is great as well,” he said.

While he’s pleased with how much money people have donated so far, he is conscious of how much further he still has to drive in a tractor.

“Concentrating on what I’m doing particularly on the highways is vitally important, you’ve got to have your wits about you.” Mr Bateman said. “I’ve got another 1300kms at 27kms an hour so it’s going to be a long drive.”