Eurobodalla residents dug deep in Legacy Week and donated a whopping $34,000.

The grand total that was donated to Narooma and Bate-mans Bay Legacy caused a shock for  South Coast Legacy president Les Arnould. 

Last year, the combined total was about $20,000.

“It’s a large achievement for our groups,” Mr Arnould said.

Batemans Bay volunteers collected $16,000 at badge stalls, while Narooma raised $18,000 from the annual golf day and at shopping centres. 

Mr Arnould said the biggest difference for Batemans Bay Legacy was having the Village Centre and Bridge Plaza for two days, rather than one.

“That would have helped a bit,” he said.

The weather also smiled. 

“Rain is a big factor,” the seasoned campaigner said.

“If it had rained, I think we would have been down by a third.” 

Each year, the two Legacy groups try to top the previous year’s target.

“It’s nice to get the support from the community,” Mr Arnould said.  “We will try to top it next year.”

All the money raised locally during Legacy Week goes to a central fund, which Eurobodalla clubs draw on.

“The money is spent on the widows,” Mr Arnould said.

“We provide such things as the rent on their personal alarm machines.

“Legacy provides funds for such things as the replacement of a hot water service.

“We do it either as a loan or a grant, but a lot of the ladies are too proud to accept a grant, so pay us back in installments.

“All the money we have collected we can only spend on the widows and their families.”

 Legacy also funds day trips for the Laurel Club, a social group for war widows. 

“We provide funds for the Laurel Club to go on two or three trips a year,” Mr Arnould said. 

He said Narooma and Batemans Bay Legacy groups thanked residents in the Eurobodalla Shire for their support and generosity.