They are both long-term employees at Batehaven IGA and they both have partners currently fighting cancer.

They are also the reason for a benefit night, to be held next week, to raise money to help with travel and accommodation expenses during that battle.

Mrs Anderson’s husband, Chris, was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year.

She has been employed at Batehaven IGA for 15 years and squeezes in shifts in between travelling with her husband for treatment and caring for their three young children - Jessica, Jade and Riley.

Batehaven and Malua Bay IGA co-owner Jim Scully placed donation tins at checkouts to help raise money for the family but wanted to do more, especially since a fellow employee was going through a similar battle.

Ms Witsch’s partner, Mark Bishop, was diagnosed with lung cancer about four years ago but the cancer has since spread.

Mr Bishop, or “Herbie”, is known for his rounds as the Malua Bay postie.

Ms Witsch said her partner of 13 years has been going downhill in the past 12 months, and underwent radiation therapy last month to try to shrink his liver.

The dinner, auction and raffle fundraiser night will be held next Friday.

“Both Kirsty and Kim are long-term employees and are like family,” co-organiser Janet Terry said.

See page 5 of Friday's Bay Post/Moruya Examiner for more on this story.

The benefit night still has tables available, but bookings close today.

It will be held from 7pm next Friday at the ClubCatalina Country Club. Tickets are available from Batehaven IGA.