Mayor Tim Overall presented more than $2300 in donated money to Rise Above (formerly the Cancer Support Group), Soldier On and Treehouse at an event at the pool on Wednesday.

Mr Overall described handing out cheques to local community groups and charities as his “favourite pastime”.

He congratulated the QPRC staff who developed the summer activation period as a charitable venture and thanked the community for their support.

All money was raised by gold coin donations by visitors to the pool.

Rise Above chief executive officer Melissa Gardiner said the $976.40 they received would essentially cover 10 $100 weekly gift vouchers for a family.

The charity, which originated in Queanbeyan, helps more than 900 cancer patients and family members in the region.

Treehouse’s Samantha Stevenson said the $768.70 would go towards early intervention programs for young people dealing with conditions such as autism.

She said it was particularly appropriate considering Treehouse runs a popular swimming program at the pool as a means to keep children involved in the community.

Soldier On national fundraising coordinator Rhonda Robinson said there was a team of men currently training at Queanbeyan Pool in preparation to swim the English Channel to support the charity.

She was thrilled to receive the support from the community via the pool in the form of $571.20.

Soldier On run programs and activities to support service people and their families.

These include psychological support, health and well being and education programs.

All three charity executives thanked the Queanbeyan-Palerang community and council for their support.

They highlighted their charities receive very little government funding and rely on the donations, volunteered hours and general support from community members. Similar activation periods were held across the council area.