A flair for fundraising

There are many ways for individuals to help us improve the health of our community beyond making a monetary donation of their own. One of these include conducting their own fundraiser.

While a traditional event format often springs to mind, it doesn’t have to be that labour intensive – in fact many don’t realise they can turn a fitness challenge, or even a milestone personal event, into a fundraiser for a cause close to their heart.

For example, if you’re thinking of signing up for your first marathon, you could ask people to sponsor you and help raise funds to purchase a particular piece of equipment.

Similarly, if you don’t wish to receive presents for your upcoming birthday or wedding, you could ask for donations to the charity of your choice instead.

A few incredible individuals who asked their networks to help them fundraise for Barwon Health Foundation in 2022 were:

Kylie Blackney

Friend of the Foundation Kylie Blackney, spent October raising funds for Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre.

Each year she comes up with a new way to fundraise during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in 2022 it was a “don’t throw ya cash in the trash” market.

Kylie asked family and friends to donate items for the market, which raised a fabulous $3,500 to improve cancer patient comfort and care.

Rebecca Share

Talented milliner Rebecca Share auctioned off her custom Geelong Cup 2022 headwear so the funds could be donated to Barwon Health.

Rebecca, who has made millinery for Australia’s best-known celebrities as well as designs for J.Lo’s World Tour, handcrafted the incredible headpiece at 3am on the morning of the race and documented the creative journey via social media.

After 40 fierce bids, one lucky fashion lover secured the perfect one-of-a-kind accessory and helped support the health of Greater Geelong and beyond at the same time.

Tom Langman

In 2022, we were incredibly grateful to be the beneficiary of a head shaving fundraiser by Barwon Health physiotherapist, Tom.

Tom decided to raise money to help improve the comfort and care of local cancer patients following his sister Hannah’s Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia diagnosis at the age of 30.

She was fit, active, and in the middle of planning her wedding when she learnt the news.

Although Hannah is undergoing treatment in Sydney, Tom decided to raise funds to help people going through the same journey within Barwon Health Cancer Services.

Tom initially set out to raise $5,000 and with overwhelming community support was able to generate $9,875 which has since been used to purchase a specialised chemotherapy chair.