ClubsACT have recently renewed their three year partnership with The Spastic Centre enabling the Centre to continue providing services to children who have cerebral palsy and associated conditions. Katelyn Rogers and Lochlen Sharman, two of our ACT clients, became the faces of the new campaign (photos by Hot Shots Photography Fyshwick). Katelyn and Lochlen feature on all flyers and posters.
ClubsACT and The Spastic Centre are into their seventh year of supporting children and their families in Canberra and surrounding rural areas with updated services and new programs that are commencing in 2008 – see below:
Fun at our 'Splash and Play' Hydrotherapy program at
Belconnen
Canberra Southern Cross Bowls Day was held on 1 April at Yamba Sports Club.
The Spastic Centre entered a team, enjoyed the day and bbq lunch and were lucky enough to be drawn out of the barrel winning $2,500.00 already spent purchasing equipment for the Centre.
Wendell Rosewarne
Cycle for Cerebral Palsy organised by Pat Moore, President Goulburn Spastic Council and Wendell Rosewarne amateur cyclist also from Goulburn. The cycle commenced on Saturday 28 April at 9 am in Belmore Park, Goulburn. It was a terrible day with heavy rain but the Mayor of Goulburn, Mr. Paul Stephenson and his wife cut the ribbon and Wendell was away on his 1200 km cycle. The Mulwaree Trust and Velolia Environmental Services donated $20,000 to the Cycle and Wendell and Pat collected another $9,000 as they cycled through 15 rural
towns over an eleven day period. Arriving back at The Goulburn Railway Bowling Club members and the media were there to greet and thank these terrific men for their amazing fundraising efforts and their ‘cycle for cerebral palsy’. To be continued in 2008.
Prime TV in conjunction with ClubsACT shot a television commercial at the Centre with one of our clients, Kai Johnson from Jindabyne. This was great fun and we all were able to watch the making of a commercial which has aired on Prime over the past six months.
The Burns Club and The Spastic Centre held the annual ‘THANKYOU TO CLUBSACT’ luncheon for 90 guests on 28 June. The event was attended by all Clubs in the partnership with Retired General Peter Cosgrove AC MC CNZM and his wife Lynne as our very special guests. Awards were presented with a special commendation given to Louize Gleeson, ClubsACT Operations Manager for her dedication and support to The Spastic Centre.
The Canberra Raiders team played at home in the Canberra Stadium on 27 July and before the match members of the Harley Davidson Motor Cycle Club invited Spastic Centre clients to be pillion passengers as they circled the arena and waved to the crowds. This was indeed a great experience and thrill for our children and an evening they will always remember.
In 2007 the CFMEU in the ACT generously donated $60,000 to TheSpastic Centre in the ACT to purchase equipment and therapy hours for our clients. Many expensive pieces of equipment are now in our ‘Loan Pool’ which has been established primarily to assist families who have children with cerebral palsy and associated conditions allowing them to trial and borrow equipment which is beyond their reach financially. In 2008 the CFMEU major sponsors of The Raiders have advised The SpasticCentre that for every goal kicked by the Raiders in The Canberra Stadium the Centre will receive a monetary donation.
ACT Annual Expo 2007 held during Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week from 5-12 August. West Belconnen Leagues Club was the perfect venue for the Expo in Canberra with easy disabled access and large function rooms where suppliers were able to set up and display equipment. Visitors enjoyed two days of viewing equipment, mobility vehicles, new technology options and speaking with representatives from various disability groups.
ACTEWAGL-CLUBSACT luncheon was held at The National Press Club on Thursday 20 September and invitations were issued to the Fundraising team in the ACT who attended and networked with Club Managers and associates.
‘ACT Sponsors, Donors and Supporters’ Lake Cruise held on 2 October on Lake Burley Griffin aboard the MV Southern Cross kindly sponsored by the Canberra Southern Cross Club. Awards were presented to various Clubs, mobile phone donors, organisations and businesses who have supported the Centre and valued donors from the ACT.
Myer – Belconnen Community Fund presented a cheque to The Spastic Centre at a morning meeting held in their store. The funds raised were to be used to purchase equipment for our Centre. Myer Belconnen has nominated TheSpastic Centre as their ACT Charity once again in 2008.
Supabarn Supermarkets in the ACT and Sydney have raised over one million dollars for charities, local schools and sporting organisations. Eric Koundouris owner of the chain presented a cheque for $10,000 to The Spastic Centre in Canberra to purchase equipment and therapy hours. The presentation was held in the Canberra Centre outside SUPABARN in November. Guest of honour Chief Minister, Mr. Jon Stanhope MLA spoke about charity work in the Canberra community.
Sparke Helmore Lawyers in Canberra House, Civic hosted the Centre’s third Christmas Drinks at their offices on 4 December. The Honourable Margaret Reid, Patron of The Spastic Centre ACT compered the evening with much aplomb. Bill Stefaniak MLA, then Leader of the Opposition and Jacqui Burke MLA Deputy Leader of the Opposition was in attendance with both of them delivering speeches praising the work at the Centre. Sparke Helmore Lawyers and partners were in attendance along with Santa who handed out presents to clients of The Spastic Centre.
Funds to purchase the presents were generously donated by The Labor Club Group.
Michael and Roslyn Koundouris (Koundouris Building Group) kindly donated a ‘Play Kitchen’ to The Spastic Centre in the ACT. This beautiful colourful, timber children’s kitchen has already been enjoyed by clients, siblings and their families when visiting the centre for services.
Mobile Phone Recycling and Fundraising ACT still going strong in the ACT, government departments, Community CPS, ABC, Rotary Belconnen, AFP and volunteers. Kay and John Beagle, a Canberra volunteer couple have been providing Canberra businesses with phone satchels and information for the past 18 months and
have spent a large amount of time speaking to people and creating awareness of the work carried out at the Centre.
Cycle for Cerebral Palsy - March
Launch of New Programs – August
ClubsACT Luncheon – June
National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week – August
Eastlake Football Club Fundraising Dinner – September
ACT EXPO 2008 – November
Sparke Helmore Christmas Drinks - December
Geraldine Walters
The Spastic Centre
Fundraising Coordinator
PO Box 233
KIPPAX 2615
(02) 6258 3200
Chris Le Ruez
The Spastic Centre
Fundraiser and Promotions Assistant
(02) 6258 3200
