Putting practice at The Dock and Drummond Golf Fyshwick’s charity golf day for Rise Above Capital Region Cancer Relief. Photo: Dalice Trost.
Two trusted names have joined forces to raise much-needed funds for a Queanbeyan-based charity, proving once again the decisive role local businesses can play in the community sector.
Popular Kingston Foreshore venue The Dock teamed up with Drummond Golf Fyshwick last week to stage a charity golf day that raised a whopping $10,700 for Rise Above Capital Region Cancer Relief.
About a dozen volunteers helped on the day, facilitating 108 players in an 18-hole competition at Federal Golf Club.
Blessed with good weather, participants paid a generous entry fee and took part in additional fundraising activities at certain holes, culminating in a result that delighted organisers according to The Dock co-owner Glen Collins.
“Our goal was to raise $10,000 for Rise Above,” he said.
“We were so grateful to the players, who dug extra deep into their pockets to help us not only meet our goal but exceed it.”
Enjoying a drink in the sun before tee-off. Photo: Dalice Trost.
Having worked with Rise Above in previous fundraising exercises, Glen said it was a worthy charity to back as the beneficiary for the event.
“You can really see how the funds raised go directly to the people in Canberra and Queanbeyan who need it most,” he said.
“Their volunteers are always so enthusiastic and friendly; they made the day run smoothly.”
Rise Above CEO Wayne Simpson said the funds could not have come at a better time.
“In the past four months we have seen a 22 per cent increase in cancer patients being referred and a commensurate amount of financial support going out,” he said.
“We’re probably issuing about $25,000 worth of food vouchers a month, so demand for essentials is very high.
“We rely 100 per cent on community support for our activities and the funds from events such as this charity golf day will really help us meet the increased support we’re pushing out the door.”
Rise Above currently has about 300 families or individuals on its books, providing them with various forms of financial support including food and fuel vouchers, paying for cancer-related medications, one-off payments for utility bills and sometimes fertility preservation services for later in life.
Wayne said the benefits from fundraising events didn’t stop with finances.
“Events like this are great for profile building. Whilst we’re supporting many people, we know there are many out there who haven’t even heard of us,” he said.
“This gets the word out there, to oncologists who can direct their clients to us to seek support, but also to those who want to help.
“We’re very grateful to The Dock and Drummond Golf for tapping into their networks to make this happen.”
Enjoying lunch and a chat before the tournament. Photo: Dalice Trost.
The charity golf day has become somewhat of a tradition for The Dock and Drummond Golf Fyshwick.
Drummond Golf Fyshwick owner Rodney Laugher, who met Glen more than 20 years ago on the golf course, said the pair tried to hold it annually.
“COVID messed with that for a couple of years, but this is our fourth and we couldn’t have been happier with the outcome,” Rodney said.
He said the event showed Canberra businesses had a great deal of leverage they could use to achieve great things for their communities.
“Glen with The Dock knows a lot of sports people and I’m around a lot of golfers. Between us, it wasn’t hard to get this generous group of people together to achieve this result.
“We’re happy to have been able to do this for Rise Above.”
Loading ...
