Melbourne Convention Bureau raises $28k for the Starlight Children’s Foundation

Published on : Friday, November 22, 2013

The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has raised $28,445 for the Starlight Children’s Foundation through its participation in the Great Adventure Challenge, MCB Chief Executive Officer, Karen Bolinger, announced recently.
The Great Adventure Challenge – a full day, multi-team based, corporate adventure race – took place on Saturday, 16 November in Anglesea, with 10 teams participating including MCB. Teams were awarded time credits for the race based on their fundraising efforts.
“I am exceptionally pleased to announce that MCB was awarded first place for the highest fundraising team in Victoria,” Ms Bolinger said.
“The $28,445 we raised will go directly to the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which is the only children’s charity with a permanent, physical presence in every major paediatric hospital in the country. This figure is the equivalent of granting four seriously ill children a once in a lifetime Starlight Wish or transforming the hospital experience for over 800 children with Starlight’s programs.
“Every minute of every day a child is admitted to a hospital in Australia, and Starlight works hard to give some of these seriously ill children a beacon of hope and a chance to fulfil a lifelong dream, which we are incredibly proud to support.
“This was the inaugural year for the event in Victoria, and the state now holds the record for the highest average amount fundraised per team, which is a fantastic result.”
Ms Bolinger explained that MCB’s fundraising efforts had secured the team the maximum one hour time credit for the race.
“In just under nine hours, or eight hours with our time credit, MCB completed seven race legs across three disciplines – running, kayaking and cycling – and two team challenges, covering 70 kilometres,” Ms Bolinger said.
“MCB finished in third place; just three minutes behind second place and nine minutes behind first place.
“There was mud, marshes, kangaroos, flat tyres, aching muscles, bruises, laughter, sunburn and wrong turns, but most importantly there was camaraderie, determination, passion and a true sense of satisfaction knowing we had completed the race for such an exceptional cause.
“This feat would not have been possible without the remarkable support of our strategic partners and members, MCB staff and their family and friends.
“I would especially like to thank our Gold sponsors Big Stick Adventures and CIM; Bronze sponsors AIME & Reed Exhibitions and Myriad; Supporter sponsors Accor Hotels, Clarion Suites Gateway, Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Pullman Melbourne Albert Park; and all of our other supporters who either donated time money or supplies to aid us in the challenge.”