By Clyde Mooney
Sydney's Bayfield family, owners of iconic pubs including the Newport Arms, has been acknowledged for its efforts in charity fundraising for sick kids.
Over the past decade, Neville Bayfield, sons Wayne and Mark and cousin Cameron of Bayfield Hotels have raised more than $1.6 million for the Children's Cancer Institute of Australia (CCIA).
They were rewarded again this year, with Governor Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO presenting that organisation's 2011 Benefactors Award at a lavish ceremony at Government House.
The family have been big supporters of CCIA, having won the award previously in 2003.
The owners of the Newport Arms, newly renovated Dee Why Hotel, Belrose Hotel, Caringbah Hotel and Bayfields Liquor Superstores were inspired by the goal to eradicate cancer in children altogether.
"I become involved with the CCIA was after hearing Professor Michelle Haber give a passionate speech on her vision for the future of cancer research and the pathway to a cure," says Wayne Bayfield, General Manager Bayfield Hotels. "Her deep belief and drive was infectious and motivated me to actively participate in raising monies to assist the CCIA progress their vision of curing '10 out of 10' kids from this terrible disease.
"The CCIA continue to drive innovation in the field of cancer research, and with recent advancements are accelerating a path towards better research collaboration between cancer charities with the goal of eradicating cancer in children altogether."
"The [Bayfield] family have supported CCIA by holding fundraising dinners in their family hotels, and they made significant contributions to the construction of the world-class Lowy Cancer Research Centre," says Professor Michelle Haber AM.
"They have generously donated time, talent and dollars. Notably with the 2000-2001 Capital Appeal Campaign, Wayne Bayfield took on the role as Chairman Follow-on, to assist CCIA with following up pledges towards the $10 million campaign."
The Bayfields plan to continue their support of CCIA, with further fund-raising activities planned for the upcoming year.