An incredible $12,000 was raised at Ballarat and District Trotting Club last night when it hosted its annual Girls Night Out fundraiser.

The event has long raised much-needed funds for charity groups that either support or raise funds to fight breast cancer and this year’s supported the Love Your Sister Charity founded by Gold Logie winning actor Samuel Johnson and his beloved late sister Connie.

Samuel made a special trip to be on-course on the night, which added a personal touch to an already
popular evening. Once the details of the event were released the 380 available dining packages were
sold within weeks.

The night was a huge success with the $12,000 raised on-course on the night through
raffles, sponsorship of races, live auctions in addition to the trotting club donating $10 from every
dining package to the cause.

Club spokeswoman Belinda Eden said the support of local businesses and the response from the community was a key reason the night was such as success.

"The local businesses that either donated prizes or gave up their time to offer their services on the night was such a big reason this fundraiser was such a success and puts into perspective on why clubs play such an important role in our community," she said.

Samuel played a key part in the night, entertaining the sold out event with stories, book signings and
photos. His energy and passion for the cause was infectious.

He also tried his hand at harness racing, participating in the HRV pony trot challenge where he raced against leading reinswomen Kerryn Manning, Kate Gath and Jodi Quinlan, who are also Team Teal ambassadors, the Harness Racing Victoria fundraiser for Women’s Cancer Foundation.