By Annette Shailer
Sydney’s Coogee Bay Hotel helped raise more than $145K last Thursday (Sept 16) at its 13th annual charity golf day, with the proceeds going to the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation (SCHF).
Friends of the venue turned out in force with more than 150 industry members, suppliers, celebrities and professional sportsmen on hand to help, including former rugby league star Gary Freeman who was also MC for the day.
This year’s total money raised was $145,765 with the funds adding to more than $1.4 million already raised by the hotel from previous golf days over the past 13 years.
A group photo prior to tee-off at the Bonnie Doon Golf Course
Following the Sydney Children’s Hospital’s recent unveiling of plans to build a new clinical wing, the hotel has pledged to raise $1 million for the hospital over the next five years.
Coogee Bay Hotel general manager, Tony Williams, thanked everyone for digging deep.
“We can’t do this on our own so we thank everyone who has offered their support over the past 13 years,” he said.
Coogee Bay Hotel managing director, Chris Cheung, thanked those that had come along on the day as well as the Coogee Bay team which had worked tirelessly to put on the fantastic day.
“We like to be part of the community and play our part in the community,” he said.
Kylie Wheeler-Brown and Tony Williams from Coogee Bay Hotel present Adam Check and Les White from the Sydney Childrens Hospital with a cheque. The final amount was later revised up to $145,765.
Sydney Children’s Hospital executive director, professor Les White, thanked the venue for its support and talked about the significant developments the hospital has been able to achieve because of Coogee Bay’s support.
“The reason we have this is because we have the Coogee Bay Hotel as a friend and we’re very grateful to all of you and to Chris in particular for your contributions,” he said.
“The money will be spent on kids who need your help.”
The charity golf day was held at Bonnie Doon Golf Course and saw strong support from suppliers such as British American Tobacco, Carlton & United Breweries, Lion Nathan, Diageo, Premium Beverages and Coca-Cola Amatil, helping raise money for a good cause.