Impact Gym team rallies for Ronnie

The team at Impact Gym, Erina, will hold a fundraising event on March 30 for team member Rhonda Richards, who has recently been diagnosed with a high-grade aggressive bone cancer.

Rally for Ronnie will take place at Joker and Thief at Erina from 6.30pm to 9.30pm and will feature live music, raffles and a lucky door prize.

“Ronnie is a much-loved member of our community and we are rallying together to help ease some of the financial pressure for her and her family during this challenging time,” spokesperson Cayla Blanch said.

“We have incredible support from the community and local businesses have donated more than 70 prizes.”

Blanch said the $30 admission price would go directly to Ronnie and her family.

The team has also set up a Gofundme page which has attracted just over $23,000 in donations to date.

The page says the cancer was discovered after Ronnie suffered a collarbone and back injury.

“When you first meet Ronnie it’s impossible not to fall in love with her warm, beautiful and caring nature,” the page says.

“She truly is one of the most selfless human beings and instantly feels like family.

“Ronnie absolutely adores her Impact children, families and fellow team members and would do anything to help anyone.

“It is now our time to help her.

“Ronnie has an extremely tough road ahead of her and has begun immediate treatment.

“Understandably Ronnie is unable to work during this time and we would love to be able to take some of the financial pressure off her husband Wal and her children.”

Donations will go towards costs including medical bills, meals, cleaning and other comforts she and her family may need.

To donate search ‘Ronnie’ on the gofundme website.

A link for tickets for the March 30 fundraiser is on the Impact Gym Erina Facebook page.

Source: Media release, Mar 23 Impact Gym Erina

Horticulture author and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’

8 - 10am live every Saturday on CoastFM96.3 cheralyn cheralyn.darcey

Get planting your brassicas now and you can be enjoying the treats of winter at your place.

The list of vegetables belonging to the Brassica family is very long, but these are probably the most common vegetables that most of us consume regularly.

All of these vegetables are also often referred to as ‘super’ foods because they contain substances known as glycosylates.

These are what give them their stronger flavour and aroma, but it is these that also help inhibit the development of many cancer types as well as reduce inflammation and balance our stress responses.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

Although there are lots of varieties, most really do best when cultivated now, in the autumn.

Sow into seed trays and then transplant when around 8 to 10cm high.

Water the trays well for a few days before transplanting and then ensure they are kept moist after moving into place.

Bury the first two leaves when planting out as this will ensure greater stability of the growing plant.

They need a sunny position in very deep, rich soil that is free draining.

Watering needs to be regular to avoid loose heads and a nitrogen-rich general fertiliser is recommended.

To harvest, cut the head from the plant and then score the stump of the plant twice in a cross about 1.5cm deep as this can encourage a supplementary growth of smaller cabbages.

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)

Like many vegetables, Broccoli has lots of varieties these days and this means you can pretty much ensure yearround crops in our temperate area.

In saying that now is the time for planting most, and you can get those seeds into trays, so they are ready for the garden once they reach the size recommended by the variety.

They all love a warm position and lots of sun and though free-draining soil is best, they do like to be kept a tad on the moist side.