The auxiliary has about as many members to match the number of years it has been running – 30.

For about 25 of those years, the group has hosted a lunch to raise money for its work providing equipment for people with life-limiting illnesses.

Auxiliary president Lea Crammond said the group’s fundraising work to support Wimmera Hospice Care meant it could provide such equipment at no cost to those who needed it.

“A lot of the time when people have these kinds of illnesses, the costs are ongoing, so this is a way we can help,” she said.

“We also have a leasing program, and that saves us a lot of money now.

“Wimmera Hospice Care serves about 37,000 square kilometres, which includes West Wimmera Shire, Hindmarsh Shire, Yarriambiack Shire and Horsham Rural City.

“We try to do two fundraisers a year.”

The group has helped hundreds of people in the past three decades, with its major fundraiser each year being a lunch at the St Andrew’s Uniting Church hall in Horsham.

Mrs Crammond said the group’s 2018 lunch this month was the culmination of planning work over the past year.

“We were given some beautiful donations, including jewellery, a patchwork quilt, a clothing voucher and donations towards food and balloons,” she said.

“We had about 100 people there for a three-course meal.

“Horsham College VCAL students waitressed, and St Brigid’s College students came the day before to help set up.

“It’s great to get the youth of Horsham involved – it gives them an insight into the work we do.

“People love having those young kids come and talk to them.”

Mrs Crammond – who is in her sixth year as president – said a raffle at the lunch raised about $470, while the final fundraising total from the lunch was still being tallied.

She said the auxiliary was a special organisation.

“Many of our members are over 80,” she said.

“I am so proud of this group. They are wonderful, and so supportive.”

The auxiliary’s next fundraiser will be a garden walk in October.

Mrs Crammond thanked Macchia Jewellery, Kaniva’s Mary Grosser, Maria Da Ros Fashions, Woolworths, Spotlight and Des Lardner for donations towards the raffle at the lunch event.