It was Christmas eve which is when most people are running around doing the final bit of shopping for gifts and food in preparation of the big man in red coming the following day, along with the family.
But it was the ever joyful and all-round jolly good bloke Charlie Bennett hanging out the front of First Choice Liquor Market in Waterford shaking the tins and giving out a smile while collecting for Multiple Sclerosis Queensland.
Charlie Bennett is an influencer, husband, carer, advocate, ambassador and fundraiser for MS Queensland and if he is not seen on his bike training for the annual Brissie to the Bay he can be found shaking a tin, telling people all about MS or right beside his wife Jenny.
For over 40 years Charlie and Jenny have been together and while Jenny fights MS every day, Charlie has stood beside her every step focused on living life to the fullest together.
Charlie along with a few helpers greeted people as they came and left helping lighten their pockets of their loose change.
A sensational day at First Choice Waterford said Charlie.
“We met some incredibly kind and generous people, and we raised a lot of money for MS.
“What a great community and I cannot thank Andrew, Cindy and Jordan enough, what a team.
“Peoples generosity astounds me as we raised $1550 for MS.”
This figure from Christmas eve adds on to the already huge amount raised by Team Jenny in 2020 and takes the figure to well over $40,000.