On Friday 8 March 2023, crowds gathered at Merewether Beach to cheer on the 24 teams as they rode the waves together and battled it out through various surf events to support this great cause.
All funds raised will be donated to local charity Hope in a Suitcase to support their mission of providing children in foster care with something to call their own, through an age-appropriate suitcase filled with a mixture of essential and comfort items that they might have never had the opportunity to own.
Evolution’s Business Manager and Director Jo Bright said that the ability to join with other local businesses to host such an exciting day was a privilege. The Evolution team sees this kind of event as a unique opportunity to blend business with corporate responsibility and a little fun, all while supporting Surfest and a very deserving charity.
“A large part of our overall brand is recognising the community that supports our business,” she continued. “As a business we have always seen the need to return this support to the community in which we live and work. Corporate responsibility is at the core of our belief system.”
Each team battled it out in the fundraising stakes and in the water, with prizes awarded not only for their surfing ability but also for their ability to raise funds before they hit the waves. A total of 24 teams participated on the day, ranging from the Lake Macquarie Surf Lifesavers to The McCloy Group. It’s important to Evolution that they don’t limit the types of teams that can enter, encouraging all local businesses to get involved (even if they’d technically be seen as competitors) as they see the event as an opportunity to work towards a shared responsibility and goal.
This year the Lake Macquarie Surf Lifesavers worked hard to reclaim the title of top surfers (having won for three consecutive years until 2023 when they were overtaken by the Cliff Crew), while The McCloy Group raised an impressive $21,000 as a team, positioning themselves at the top of the fundraising ladder.
Jo Bright said Hope in a Suitcase was nominated for the past two years because there was an overwhelming response from all involved to support local families, and particularly those affected by family violence.
“We researched and stumbled across Hope in a Suitcase and we were moved and overwhelmed by what we discovered was happening in our community around children in crisis,” said Jo.
Jo Bright said Hope in a Suitcase was nominated for the past two years because there was an overwhelming response from all involved to support local families, and particularly those affected by family violence.
“We researched and stumbled across Hope in a Suitcase and we were moved and overwhelmed by what we discovered was happening in our community around children in crisis,” said Jo.
A big part of Hope in a Suitcase’s mission is sending children in foster care a message that they are important and cared for by our community. They aim to encourage self-care by providing new essential items such as a toothbrush, toiletries, hairbrush, underwear and sanitary items for the older girls. Other items might include a pair of pyjamas and a change of clothes, a teddy to cuddle, a journal or colouring book and pencils to encourage creativity or a toy to provide a distraction away from their turmoil.
In previous years, they have supported other charities like the Mark Hughes Foundation, raising around $350,000 for brain cancer research. Since the Charity Cup’s inception, they have also donated $100,000 to isolated areas of the globe to provide clean water, sanitation and healthcare. In 2023 they joined with Hope in a Suitcase raising over $50,000 for this important local organisation.
If you missed out on the action on the day but would still like to make a donation, you can do so via this fundraising link.
