$50,000 for children's disability library
Establishing an equipment library in Warrnambool for children with a disability has long been a dream of health professionals in South West Victoria - and finally this dream can become a reality.
With the help of National Australia Bank employees, the local Warrnambool community has raised just over $50,000 at a charity lunch and auction.
The money raised will be shared between health providers in the region South West Healthcare and St John of God Health Care, who received $34,000 and $11,000 respectively on the day, with more to come due to the generosity of donors.
South West Healthcare will use the money to purchase equipment for the library, while St John of God Health Care will use the money to help buy rehabilitation equipment for children at the hospital.
Almost 175 guests from the area packed the Warrnambool Entertainment Centre for the five-hour event, which featured guest speaker and ex-Carlton AFL player David Glascott, a Carlton Football Club Hall of Fame inductee and NAB employee.
An exhilarating auction kept the luncheon alive - and the money flowing - with items donated by more than 70 businesses. An AFL finals package attracted the highest bid of $3,300.
Joanne Curran, NAB Regional Executive for Warrnambool Business Banking Centre, said the event was the result of a cooperative effort between NAB's three banking segments - business, retail and agribusiness, which formed an organising committee. NAB employees even stepped in to wait on tables at the luncheon.
"We wanted to do something that would provide an ongoing benefit to the community and this was something tangible that we could make happen," Ms Curran said.
"Not only did the fundraising effort exceed our expectations by almost $10,000, but it was also a great day for the community. Now everyone is talking about next year!"
The $50,000 raised came from ticket sales, auction funds and direct donations including $5,000 from NAB, $3,000 from Bottle Mart and $3,000 from Rafferty's Tavern Social Club. But the generosity didn't stop at the lunch, with gas workers at Port Campbell passing around the hat to raise $2,000 which they donated to the cause.
Richard Peters, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility for NAB, said it was important that local bank branches across Australia contributed to their local community. "Part of NAB's culture is that we encourage employees to get involved, whether it is through donating funds or volunteering their time," he said.
Does your organisation need volunteers? Find out more about NAB's Employee Volunteer Program.
