LOCAL CHILDREN LIVING WITH CANCER ARE SET TO RECEIVE A BOOST THANKS TO SHEPPARTON'S EDUCATION FIRST YOUTH FOYER.

Students from the foyer will take over Bill & Beat's café next month, serving drinks, waiting tables, selecting the entertainment and of course collecting donations from raffle ticket sales for the fundraiser event.

Funds from ticket sales to the three-course dinner are set to go to GV Health to support children living with cancer.

It is a project close to home for the foyer which aims to break the cycle of homelessness by providing young people aged 16 to 24 with a place to stay while they find work or study towards a career.

Foyer program manager Matthew Jobling said the event was a win-win situation, giving students practical experiences required for a range of job opportunities, while raising money for charity.

“The foyer students get to see the event's entire process of organising the event, all the way from cooking the food to organising the table setting,” he said.

It will be the third year the centre has organised the fundraiser, which has collected more than $14 000 for the local community.

GV Health Foundation director Carmel Johnson congratulated the foyer on its efforts.

“GV Health is humbled by the efforts of the young people who have been working hard to raise funds for our cancer facilities at GV Health,” she said.

“It is always tough trying to raise funds and the community can be proud of these young people's efforts.

“GV Health children's ward staff congratulate Ruben (Moreno) and the guys who have organised fundraising to make sure that children and young adults in the Goulburn Valley have access to the best facilities and services when they are having their cancer treatment at our hospital.”

The event will feature talks from GV Health Foundation director Carmel Johnson as well as breast cancer survivor Kylie Jones.

There will also be live entertainment from band Mystic & Co.

Tickets cost $85, which includes a three-course meal, live band, guest speakers, auctions and a free drink on arrival for the event.

The dinner runs from 6 pm to 11pm on Friday, October 18 at Bill & Beat's, McLennan St, Mooroopna. For information or to buy a ticket, visit www.eventbrite.com