An amazing figure of $9,675 was raised at the Get Chopped Pub in Greenmount on Australia Day, which hosted the inaugural Sophie’s Gold Fish Race in the memory of Sophie Grace Patch.

The money raised has been donated to the Queensland Children’s Hospital. Sophie, daughter of Todd and Tamara Patch of East Greenmount, tragically passed away in November 2022 at the young age of 11 months.

Since this indescribable loss, Todd and Tamara have devoted their energy towards raising funds for the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Sophie’s name.

Todd and Tamara said they came up with the idea of running gold fish racing at the pub on Australia Day.

Four weeks later, the tanks (tracks) were built and the fish ready to race.

“Since the passing of our beautiful daughter Sophie Grace in November 2022, we have been looking for ways to raise funds for the Queensland Children’s Hospital,” Tamara said.

“The three months of Sophie’s admittance the staff and specialists showed amazing care, support and compassion, especially in the final days and hours of Sophie’s life to myself, my husband Todd, her sister Madison and other family members.”

The big day came around and people turned up in droves, filling the pub with generous punters ready to race.

Sophie Patch’s memory lives on

After a delicious lunch, to maintain stamina and live music by the Doug Gale Duo, the auction commenced.

Sixteen fast gold fish were auctioned off with the winner of each fish required to race their own starter.

Local auctioneer Nathan Sinnett whipped the crowd into a frenzy with one fish making an amazing $950.

First place was taken out by Brodie Schwerin. With a cool $1,200 for first place Brodie showed true community spirit by donating the purse back to the Sophie Grace fund.

Tamara Patch said she was overwhelmed by the community response.

“Having our community come together and raise this money in Sophie’s honour is an incredible result and a reflection of the hearts of the people in our community, we are very humbled and can’t thank everyone enough,” she said.

Get Chopped Greenmount publican Brendon Quirey said he and his staff were honoured to be able to host the event.

“Sophie Grace Patch touched all of our hearts in her short stay on this planet, to be asked to host the inaugural Sophie’s Gold Fish Race was an incredible honour, seeing the final total of the funds raised in our little pub had us in tears,” Mr Quirey said.

“We are truly blessed to live in this beautiful community.”

This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 9 February 2023.