By Andrew Holmes
GRV, in partnership with Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) and their Off The Bench program, welcomes the annual Chase For Charity fundraising campaign back for another year and it all kicks off on Saturday, March 18.
Chase For Charity is the cornerstone of the relationship between GRV & SEN and provides an opportunity for both organisations to come together and raise vital funds for three worthy and appreciative charities.
In 2023, funds will be raised through Chase For Charity for Ronald McDonald House Charities (Vic/Tas), McAuley for Women and Children and Victorian Men’s Shed Association.
These three great charities were the beneficiaries of over $53,700 from the 2022 campaign, half of which was ‘doubled dollar for dollar’ by GRV’s wagering sponsorship partner, Sportsbet.
Each week, SEN’s Off The Bench team Craig Hutchison and Liam Pickering and GRV ambassador Brent ‘Boomer’ Harvey each place a $500 at each Saturday night meeting at The Meadows throughout the campaign, with the winnings tallied towards each tipster’s charity, with totals announced at the conclusion of the campaign.
In 2023, Craig Hutchison will be representing Ronald McDonald House, Liam Pickering is tipping for Victorian Men’s Shed Association while ‘Boomer’ will be hoping to raise a lot of money for McAuley for Women and Children.
Tune into Off The Bench every Saturday morning between 10 & 10.30am to hear all the tips for each week, and follow GRV on social media for monthly updates on the tallies.
ABOUT OUR CHARITIES:
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC):
RMHC is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing vital programs for families with seriously ill children.
Since opening the very first Ronald McDonald House in Victoria in 1986, their chapter has expanded to provide essential services in Melbourne, regional Victoria and Hobart. Through accommodation and support services, RMHC strive to keep families together when life gets turned upside down due to a child’s illness. The Ronald McDonald Houses and Programs are run by a tirelessly hard working team of staff and volunteers, aided by the generous support of our donors, sponsors and corporate partners.
McAuley’s vision is that women and children will be safe, supported and empowered to achieve their highest potential: all home safely. Creating a world that enables women and children to participate in society on their own terms through innovative services, advocacy and a caring community, so violence and homelessness can be eradicated. Starting with accommodation and meeting immediate needs, McAuley support women and their children to be safe. They provide 24/7 crisis support and temporary accommodation, independent housing and supported community care.
Women needing support have experienced, or are at immediate risk of, serious harm: through physical and emotional violence, threats, sexual assault, and stalking. McAuley work alongside them to plan their move towards a life free from violence. McAuley House, Footscray and Ballarat, provide inhouse support to women who are homeless, many of whom have also experienced family violence. It is a place for rest, recovery and reconnection, as well as being a welcoming hub for women and children who have moved into the surrounding community.
Victorian Men’s Shed Association (VMSA):
The main purpose of a Men’s Shed is to provide for the health and wellbeing of the men attending the shed. Assisting to reduce the social loneliness, isolation and depression caused through unemployment, retrenchment, retirement or other life changing conditions, sheds provide a safe and friendly environment where the men can talk, learn new skills, pass on their life skills and be a part of a bigger community and be involved in meaningful activities and projects. Men’s Shed offer many different things to the men that attend, but most men appreciate that the biggest part of attending is the mate ship or friendships that are formed. Being unemployed, retrenched or retired, many men no longer have someone to talk to, be it sports, politics, health, or just a sounding board for the many changes that are occurring within their lives. The friendships that are formed at a sheds allow these discussions to occur. The participation in meaningful activities or projects also gives confidence and pride and a sense of accomplishment in completing these activities and projects.
