Christmas also came early for some local charities as the market day volunteer ladies had a small ceremony to present groups with a donation.

Judy Melonas, Cindy Brown Trina Brown and Francis Cook presented The Royal Flying Doctor Service with a cheque for $2000 accepted by Debbie Dwyer.

The Lightning Ridge Pre School received a cheque for $500 accepted by Cindy Brown. Anne Brown received $500 for Opal FM and Eddy Webb took home a whopping cheque for $6000 for the Lightning Ridge Hospital and also receiving a microwave for the aged care. Eddie said this money would go towards a lift for lifting the patients.

Judy Melonas, with the help of other family members and friends over the years, has been doing these markets for over 15 years and has raised quite a sum for the Lightning Ridge Hospital and other charities around the area.

Representatives from each group gladly accepted their cheques from the women who run these raffles each Thursday and every second Sunday.

Judy Melonas said she would like to thank The Ridge Butchery, Noel Burke and the Outback Resort for their support. Judy said she would also like to give a big thank you to their loyal supporters who came each week to the raffles and a Merry Christmas to all.

This Sunday will be the last market day for 2011 with a large chocolate wheel with hams, meat vouchers and vouchers from the Outback Resort Bottle Shop and many other various prizes. Tickets will be on sale at 12.30pm. Thursday and Sunday markets will break for six weeks.