What's On - Charities, Fundraisers, Sporting Events

If you would like to have an event promoted in our What's On Guide, please contact us.
Note: Please check details with event organisers before attending.

Top Aussies Face Design for a Cause
Venue	Goodfridayappeal.com.au
Date	Monday, 22nd March - 2nd April
Barnes joins a long list of celebrities including cricket star Brett Lee, The 7pm Project's Carrie Bickmore, astounding recording artist Mark 'Diesel' Lizotte, Masterchef's George Colombaris along with some of Australia’s finest designers such as Arabella Ramsay, Seafolly, Yeojin Bae, Mimco, and many more. The singlets will be auctioned off in a bid to raise funds for the 2010 Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Last year the Good Friday Appeal raised a total of $13,862,734.00 for the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. Each year, the online auction raises over $100,000. All items are donated and 100% of the money goes to the kids. To find out more about the Good Friday Appeal or want to make a bid, please visit the website Goodfridayappeal.com.au

Make Poverty History Roadtrip
Book	theroadtrip.com.au
The Roadtrip will involve 1000 young people from across Australia, who will be traveling to Canberra. Along the way, we will be stopping at many different areas campaigning on the issue of the Millennium Development Goals, and the need to increase the amount of foreign aid given. The NSW Roadtrip is traveling from Sydney to Gosford, Manly, Sutherland and Cambelltown, and then down to Canberra for the summit.

Sunnyfield Beaches Breakfast
Venue	Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific, NSW 2095
Date	Friday 26 March 2010
Time	7.45am to 9.30am
Fee	$80 ticket. $800 table of ten. $70 Sunnyfield member ticket. $2,000 business sponsorship package
Book	02 9451 6999, email breakfast@sunnyfield.org.au or visit sunnyfield.org.au
Each year at Sunnyfield's Beaches Breakfast, 250 people from the northern beaches community, businesses and representatives from all levels of Government gather to bring focus to disability and support for those with a disability and their families in the local community This year, Sunnyfield is honoured to have best-selling author Sam Bailey as keynote speaker along with sporting hero Kerri Pottharst OAM as MC for the event. The theme for the event is Discovering Ability. Too many people concentrate on what people with a disability cannot do or cannot achieve. Quite often people with disabilities develop unique and inspiring abilities, from music or drama through to art and mentoring. Sunnyfield provides an environment that fosters growth and nurtures the human spirit.

Dance Like Nobody's Watching, and Be My Brother
Venue	Cremorne Orpheum Cinema, 380 Military Road, Cremorne
Date	Monday, 22 March 2010
Time	6.30pm for 7pm
Fee	Suggested donation of $20
Book	Priscilla at: 02 9841 4404
World Down Syndrome Day pays tribute to the achievements of people with Down Syndrome and in celebration, a screening of the new Australian documentary, Dance Like Nobody's Watching, and Tropfest-winning short film, Be My Brother, with all proceeds going to Down Syndrome NSW. Both films share stories of people with Down syndrome and they will inspire you to take affirmative action in your own life, to help break down social barriers and bring about meaningful change. Dance Like Nobody's Watching, which recently picked up the Best Society Concern Award at the Sichiuan TV Festival 'Gold Panda' Awards in China, follows the journey of Paul Matley, a charismatic young man with Down Syndrome, as he meets with teachers, doctors, parents and members of the general public to try to uncover what it means to have Down syndrome in Australia in the 21st Century. The documentary is not just about Down syndrome, it is about all disabilities and how we treat people with disabilities. Also set to screen on this night is the short film Be My Brother, directed by young filmmaker Genevieve Clay who took out the main prize at 2009's Tropfest with the film. Clay was inspired to make Be My Brother after meeting the film's star, Gerard O'Dwyer, who has Down syndrome. Armed with a good sense of humour, this is a warm-hearted drama which manages to challenge prejudices head on.

Long Term Support for Cancer Patient Accommodation
Venue	Big W, Priceline and selected Pharmacies
Breast Cancer Australia is proud to announce a partnership with Frostbland Pty. Ltd. in supporting its cancer patient properties around Australia. Through the sale of the world renowned TABU fragrance, purchases of the specially designed gift set, to be released for Mother's Day this year, will help provide much needed support to Breast Cancer Australia to assist it in continuing to fund this patient accommodation program.

World Kids Colouring Day
Date	6 May, 2010
Getting started is simple, visit World-kids-colouring-day.com.au where you will find: -Registration page for schools and organisations to receive their free World Kids Colouring Day supporter pack (including posters, information flyers and free STAEDTLER coloured pencils). -Suggestions on how to support World Kids Colouring Day, including support material (a beautiful 9-piece Australian map mural puzzle for the classroom wall). -Lesson cards and resources useful for teachers to prepare lessons. -Take home information to inform children's families. -General information (how to contribute and make donations), and ideas on how to participate in the program (e.g. art exhibition, colouring day at school...) The universal language of pictures is understood the world over and unites children on all continents. Colouring is an important form of expression, especially for small children still discovering their world. World Kids Colouring Day needs the support of adults to help co-ordinate the fundraising events and to help children understand how their contribution can change the world of a child less fortunate. STAEDTLER will recognise the highest donation nationally and the most creative activity nationally with a great STAEDTLER colouring set valued at $500. Australian children with their parents and teachers are invited to participate in World Kids Colouring Day and raise money for their beautiful artwork, to help other Australian children in need.

2010 MS Readathon: The Great Reading Adventure
Date	Read for any 30 days in June, July or August
Book	or more information, visit Msreadathon.org.au or call the State/Territory office on 1300 677 323.
In 2010, Multiple Sclerosis Australia (MSA) will be operating the 31st annual MS Readathon. The MS Readathon is Australia's premier reading-based fundraiser which encourages Australians to read books, learn about multiple sclerosis (MS) and raise funds to help people living with MS. With no known cause or cure for MS, this annual event has become one of the largest fundraisers for MS Australia. Each year the MS Readathon inspires Australians to help people living with MS by collecting sponsorship from family and friends for the reading they do in a 30 day period. All participants who complete the program receive a Certificate and reading rewards. Fast Facts on MS -MS affects three times as many women as men -The average age of diagnosis is just 30 -87% of people diagnosed are of working age -80% of people with MS lose their job within 10 years of diagnosis -MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that randomly attacks the central nervous system -MS is a lifelong disease for which a cure is yet to be found. -Researchers are making discoveries in treating and understanding MS everyday -Australians with MS pay $160 million per year out of their own pockets in health costs

Bears Of Hope Ball 2010
Venue	Courtside Function & Events Centre, Rod Laver Dr Sydney Olympic Park
Date	Saturday 25th September 2010
Time	7pm to 11:30pm
Fee	$100 ea or $950 for a table of 10
Book	Amanda@bearsofhope.org.au or 0439643203
You are invited to attend our 2nd Annual Charity Ball for Bears Of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support. Your ticket includes pre-dinner canapes and drinks on the balcony, followed by a delicious three course meal with sparkling wine, beer, red and white wine, softdrink and juice! Bearsofhope.org.au

Host a bite and help the fight! It's as easy as... 1, 2, 3
Date	April 2010
Book	Greataustralianbite.com.au
Share a bite, help the fight as Diabetes is Australia's fastest growing chronic disease - one person is diagnosed every 7 minutes. 1. Register: For the Great Australian Bite 2. Invite: Your friends, family or workmates to join you for a bite to eat - a barbie at home, picnic in the park, or drinks in the office - you get to choose! 3. Donate: Ask your guests for a donation for the wonderful food and company they are enjoying in support Additional Fund-raising Ideas: Corporate cook-off Community support Run a guessing competition Hold a raffle Hold an auction Reduce expenses Double the fun: Many businesses support their employees fundraising efforts by dollar matching the funds they raise.

Variety Cerebral Palsy Challenge
Date	The 10 week challenge starts on Tuesday 20 April
Fee	$93 per person (if you don't choose to fundraise) or $47 per person if a team raises $350 or more.
Book	Cerebralpalsychallenge.com.au
The Variety Cerebral Palsy Challenge, a joint initiative between Variety, the Children's Charity and The Spastic Centre, is a fun, energetic and entertaining team challenge set to inspire teamwork and productivity for corporates, sporting and social groups, friends and families. Teams of four create online characters for the 10 week challenge. The participants wear pedometers, and log their daily progress online, which takes their characters on a virtual trek around the world. A local walk to the shop could equate to an inspiring virtual hike across the African desert. As ambassador for the challenge, Libby Trickett's virtual character will keep teams company on their online adventures. Each team member receives a high quality, adjustable pedometer, dri-fit cap, vented shoe bag and sling bag.

Girl's Day Out: Get Active, Get Involved, Have Fun
Venue	Sydney and Canberra
Date	Saturday 6 March 2010 and Sunday 28 March 2010
Book	gearupgirl.com.au
Girls - grab your friends and get on your bikes because Gear up Girl is back in 2010. Women of all shapes and sizes, all ages and stages can participate in this recreational cycling event. There are two ride options at each event, so there is something for everyone! Last year there were record registrations in Sydney and Canberra. Not only did participants have fun, they raised $40,000 for childhood cancer research. The Gear up Girl Challenge is proud to have the Oncology Children's Foundation (OCF) as its official charity partner once again in 2010. Sydney - Saturday 6 March 2010 Choose from 2 ride options including a 55km Cronulla to Sydney Olympic Park ride or a more gentle 15km ride around Sydney Olympic Park. You can then celebrate your achievements with a festival style finish at Sydney Olympic Park! Canberra - Sunday 28 March 2010 New Route for 2010 - choose from 2 ride options including a 30km Yarralumla Ride or a 60km Belconnen Ride. Food and exhibitors will be at the Orana bay start and finish site.

Himalayan Education Charity Foundation
Date	11th of October 2009- 30th March 2011
Fee	$4000 is the target amount for each participant to join these Fundraising Trips, half of which would go towards HECF's Educational Project. The other half covers local tour leader, local guides, local flight, porterage on trek, airport transfer, transport, sightseeing, entrance fees, accommodation and most meals.
Book	Info@hecf.org.np or contact Julie on 0416365601.
Trip: Annapurna Highlights (11 Days) - Trip combined with cultural adventure, easy walk, wildlife and wilderness. Everest Highlights (11) Days - Adventure trek with moderate walk. A reasonably good level of fitness is required for this trip. HECF is a non-profit registered charity in Nepal. The basic aim is to support underprivileged children with education and financial support to their family. Hecf.org.np for more information