The Longmates, who sponsor 23 students through private school and university in Cambodia, organised the annual charity dinner at the Blue Fox restaurant on Thursday, August 6. 

“We weren’t expecting too many people with what the farmers are going through and we were down on numbers but we did really well,” she said. 

“We came out with about $2,580.” 

Around 50 guests enjoyed a three course meal at the Blue Fox with live music by Dave Webb and also participated in silent auctions, a raffle and hundred club throughout the night. 

The Longmates have also been selling ‘Jolly Socks’ around Lithgow and St Patrick’s School has also got on board helping to raise money for Life Project Cambodia.

 Supporting the Cambodian students requires roughly $60,000 a year. 

“All the money goes to the children we support in Cambodia, it goes towards their school fees, uniforms, and accommodation for them,” Bev said. 

“One boy we’ve supported has just graduated university. It’s a big achievement, because this project only started five years ago and then he couldn’t speak English, and he has graduated this month in hospitality. 

“The others that currently go to private school, they’ve just all done their exams for the year and they’ve done really well,” she said. 

Bev said she was very grateful for the community’s support Life Project Cambodia’s mission. 

“It’s a not-for-profit fund and they don’t actually advertise, so they rely on people like us here in Lithgow.”

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