CLUB IQ | Page 37

exceeding their fundraising target, the Sporties team is most proud that they started as a team and finished as one – with only 35% who started together, finishing as a complete team of four. The event raised over $2 million for Oxfam’s work. Team Sporties Supports were the 5th highest fundraising team in NSW, having raised their fundraising benchmark on numerous occasions. Setting an initial goal of $5,000, the team had raised close to $13,000 by the event, near tripling the fundraising team average of $4,400. Proudly supporting the team were singlet sponsors Secom Technologies, help 2 help and Barringtons. In addition to the kindness of the singlet sponsors, the team was proudly supported by Host Plus, CCAMATIL, Aristocrat, Robert Oatley, Hennessy Coffee, CUB, Sunblest Cleaning Services, IGT, FB Rice, Consep, Gold Crest Security, Canada Bay Club, Smithfield RSL, White Now Consulting, Suburbanite, Barefoot Wines, Integro Learning Company, Universal Gaming, BSG Australia, Crest Air Conditioning and countless individuals who personally sponsored them. “We’ve been blown away and humbled by the generosity of our sponsors and in particular our support crew, comprising completely of our staff volunteering their own time”, say HR Manager Ben McGuinness. The team’s support crew consisted of 14 employees who volunteered their own time to help their fellow staff members, taking time out of their weekends off to drive around Sydney to set up the team’s checkpoint pit stops for a maximum 20 minutes at a time. “Our support crew were phenomenal” says Mr McGuinness. “We arrived at each checkpoint to four chairs and supplies laid out, with the crew waiting to pounce on us to get us ready for the next leg, cramming food and drink in our mouths, refilling our hydration packs, stretching our screaming legs and acting as motivators, peace makers and therapists!”. “Clean water isn’t a gift” says CEO Tracey Lentell. “It’s a basic human right. By taking part in Oxfam Trailwalker we’ve helped make a real, tangible difference”.