By Annette Shailer
Sydney’s Coogee Bay Hotel helped raise more than $100,000 last Thursday (Sept 24) at its 12th annual charity golf day, with the proceeds to go to the Sydney Children’s Hospital.
More than 130 industry professionals, suppliers, professional sportsmen and friends of the venue were on hand to help, including Sydney Swan Ryan O’Keefe and Sydney University star Ben McCalman – a possible selection for the Wallabies’ tour of Japan and the UK later this year.
The funds add to more than $1.3 million already raised by the hotel’s previous golf days over the years.
The big day was held at Bonnie Doon Golf Course and saw strong support from suppliers to help raise money for a good cause.
Coogee Bay Hotel general manager Tony Williams said it was a great day and thanked everyone involved in making the event happen.
“Thank you to everyone for attending today and supporting the Sydney Children’s Hospital. Thanks to the suppliers, supporters and my team,” he said.
“It’s brilliant the support we have received this year and over past years from our friends at Fosters, Diageo, Premium Beverages Coca Cola, Red Bull, Tooheys, Smiths Snack Foods and Aristocrat.”
In recognition to the outstanding contributions made for the event, Williams presented Gold Sponsors with commemorative plaques.
Coogee Bay Hotel owner Chris Cheung said that despite the tough and challenging times the industry had faced over the past year it was great to see people still get behind important causes such as the Sydney Children’s Hospital.
Sydney Children’s Hospital speaker professor Les White spoke about the significant developments he had seen over the years from when he started as a resident in 1975.|
“When I first started sadly the majority of the children we saw died, but now around 75 to 80 percent of children with cancer survive,” White said.
“It is people like you (Chris) that make this happen, you have raised $1.4 million so far and we deeply appreciate it so thank you.”
This year, the Coogee Bay Hotel was inducted into the ‘Hall of Champions’ for the Sydney Children’s Hospital. This honor is given to those who have raised more than $1 million in donations.