The SAP Ecosystem Foundation has raised more than $35,000 for children with cancer and their families through its inaugural event, the Regatta for Redkite.
Generously sponsored by Dimension Data, the Regatta saw 12 boats with 150 crew compete for glory – racing from the Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) out towards Sydney Heads, down the harbour and around Fort Denison before returning to Middle Harbour.
The light, shifting breeze favoured the smaller yachts, and it was SAP’s own Helen Masters’ 36-foot Northshore, Dragon, that tore across the finish line almost half a kilometre ahead of Extend Technologies’ Edake, and Oxygen Business Solutions’ Kerisma.
Staff from the only customer entry, Carpe Diem from SCA Hygiene, made a special effort to be part of the event – raising all their own funds to travel to Sydney from Melbourne, charter a yacht, and compete in the Regatta.
A post-Regatta function at MHYC was hosted by former NSW politician Kerry Chikarovski, with celebrities Les Hill, Andrew O’Keefe and Andrew Reid also on hand to lend some glamour to the event.
Thanks to the kind support of RIM Australia, a Mega Raffle alone raised almost $3000 and another $9000 was raised through auction items.
“The day was an outstanding success, raising enough money to help Redkite support 14 families for an entire 12 month period, with access to Redkite’s full suite of vital support services – including hospital-based support, financial assistance, and educational assistance. We’ll build on this to make it an even bigger and better event next year,” said Adrian Everett, chair, SAP Ecosystem Foundation.
“Getting involved in the Regatta is more than a ‘feelgood’ exercise – it’s also a great opportunity to network and build relationships with customers, partners and suppliers. Post race, there probably isn’t a better place than Middle Harbour Yacht Club on a warm summer’s evening.”
Redkite (www.redkite.org.au) provides real and practical support, including financial assistance, emotional support and educational assistance, to children and young people with cancer and their families. The SAP Ecosystem Foundation (www.sapef.org) is an independent, not-for-profit charity organisation bringing together companies operating in the SAP ecosystem.
