11 December 2024
This month, Melbourne’s Charity Boys have raised their final dollar for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, after 18 years of unwavering commitment to raising funds and awareness for all men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The Charity Boys was founded in 2007 by Aldo Angelucci, Lou Mercuri and Rick Giandomenico after they saw a gap in awareness for men’s health. A year later, Laurie Vescio also joined the organising team.
“The motivation began when a group of men were talking about health and how we recognised a disparity between promotion of men’s health problems in comparison to women’s,” Laurie said on behalf of the group.
“This sparked the idea to raise money in support of men’s health challenges and identified the lack of awareness surrounding the affect prostate cancer was having on men in Australia.”
What followed was 19 years of regular activities in the community including monthly men’s lunches to provide an opportunity for comradeship, and their annual flagship event, the Prostate Dinner Dance.
Last month on November 16th at the Casa D’Bruzzo Club in Epping, Victoria, the Charity Boys hosted their 18th and final Prostate Dinner Dance, marking the end of an era.
The final event raised over $36,000 for PCFA – bringing their total fundraising efforts to more than $300,000 over the years.
PCFA’s Victoria Community Engagement Manager Linley Watson said The Charity Boys were an outstanding example of community spirit.
“Their dedication and tireless efforts have made a real and lasting impact in the fight against prostate cancer,” she said.
“With thanks to people like Laurie and Aldo, we can continue to provide vital support services to the 26,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.”
The group said being part of The Charity Boys had been an incredibly rewarding experience.
“We’re overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who has attended our dinners and lunches. It has been a privilege to bring so many people together for such an important cause and we’re grateful for everyone’s support,” Laurie shared from the group.
“To know our help is making a contribution to supporting men diagnosed with prostate cancer is extremely rewarding on both a community level and personal level.
“Through our work, we have been privileged to meet people with prostate cancer and get a firsthand understanding of what we could do to further raise awareness.”
Laurie said they have created so many special memories over the years that will stay with them forever.
“It is difficult to pinpoint one highlight as there were so many over the years for us all.
“To begin, the social aspect of the charity allowed men to catch up, share a meal together and promote getting checked regularly for prostate cancer.
“Secondly, we got to meet men and their families as they were going through prostate cancer and being part of their support network was rewarding.
“Thirdly, the funds raised for the PCFA and all the people who contributed in some way, we cannot thank enough. Without the people who have supported us and the Charity boys, none of what we accomplished would be possible.”
Community fundraising efforts like this enable PCFA to provide important support services to all Australians impacted by prostate cancer, including a free Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing and Counselling Service, and invest in vital awareness and research projects that have the potential to save lives.
Laurie encouraged others to get behind PCFA and help drive fundraising and awareness initiatives in their local community.
“Making a positive contribution to your community is one of the most rewarding and humbling things you can do,” he said.
“We would encourage everybody to host a fundraiser or come up with a creative way to raise funds to support of the PCFA to continue the positive work that has already occurred and make a broader contribution to the community.”
For more information, visit fundraise.pcfa.org.au.
