Mount Gambier will host an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea to pour funds into the Cancer Council of Australia late this month.

The annual event will take place at the Blue Lake Bar and Bistro on May 26 from 10am and will include a trading table in honour of Peter Bayre, raffles, silent auction items, morning tea and a fashion parade by Redgum Country.

Tickets are $30 and will be available to purchase exclusively from Decor House as well as merchandise which will also be stocked at DJ Interiors.

Confession will help out again this year with a QR code on any hot beverage purchased from now until the event which can be scanned for the amount of purchase to be donated to the local fundraiser.

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea Mount Gambier coordinator Karen Petersen said this year’s event will be in honour of her workmate Gail Walker.

“Sadly, Gail was diagnosed with a terminal cancer in 2021 and she passed away in February,” she said.

“She was actually at our event last year, so it is a bit emotional for me, but I continue to do this in honour of not just people I know that have been touched by cancer but everyone because every family is touched by cancer.

“Gail really got a lot out of the morning tea last year with Will McDonald on board and talked about the support that was out there and she reached out to Cancer Council after that, so it gave her a bit of help when she most needed it.

“This year I really want to do it as best as I can, as well as for Gail in her memory because we worked together for seven years.”

Mrs Petersen said she was thankful for all the support from local businesses.

“For me as a local I like to support local, and I think that it is important we support local businesses,” she said.

“I feel grateful local businesses support the event by way of raffle items, auction items or people that reach out to me just to make a donation.

“Best Taste Scenario does the little mini cheese tarts and Melissa’s Magic Kitchen does the melting moment biscuits.

“Ticket sales are going really well but still reach out anyone who wants a table, there are still some tables left.”

Mrs Petersen said the event will support cancer research and support as well as the new Cancer Council SA Greenhill Lodge facility in Adelaide which offers accommodation to cancer patients and their families.

“It is huge for country patients to be able to have that support because as well as an emotional journey it is a financial journey,” she said.

“The feedback that I have received from some local people that have used the facility has been amazing.

“Whatever we raise is obviously a bonus to help country patients and country people going through cancer.

“All these country patients deserve to go to Greenhill Lodge and have that opportunity to get the treatment.

“We have to fight for treatment for regional patients because it is unfair otherwise, we should not be disadvantaged because we live 500km down the road.”

Athella Tea owner Aleathia Holland will provide tea to the fundraiser for a second year which she said is a cause close to her heart.

“For me personally I have had my mum and sister battle cancer, we have been extremely lucky, good fortune that someone was looking after us because they are both well today,” she said.

“I believe the reason for that is research and that is why they are able to have beaten cancer and that is because of all the donations.

“It is such an emotional thing for our family that when Karen approached me I could not wait to jump on board.

“I know for a fact the money raised for research and to help people going through a cancer battle goes where it needs to go.”

Mrs Holland said it was mainly about giving back to the local community.

“We are big supporters of the biggest morning tea and really excited to be involved in it, especially in our local area this year,” she said.

“The teas that we will be supplying this year are our award-winning Ceylon tea, I am very excited for everyone to try that, and also our green tea which is also award winning.

“They are completely organic, certified organic and sustainable farming and they are really beautiful clean teas.

“We also will have samples on all the tables of all our variety of teas as well.

“Last year we also donated our crystal tea infusers and this year we will be doing the same.”