Each year, in conjunction with the Usher Cup surf contest, event co-founders Theodore Vairaktaris and Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew spend time visiting ten local charities, identified for the outstanding work they carry out across the Gold Coast community.
The #10ForTen charity drive aims to raise $10,000 for ten Gold Coast based charities, with this year’s recipients including Serving Our People (SOP) World Mental Health Organisation, Arcadia College, Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, The Sanctuary, Friends With Dignity, Gold Coast Hospital Foundation, The Village School, Volunteering Gold Coast, and the Global Awakening Fund.
As preparation for the largest surf contest in the events short history ramp up, Theodore and Wayne have also been kept busy, visiting and spending time with each of the 10ForTen charities to gain a stronger understanding of what they do, the difference they are making across the community and the challenges they face.
“It’s so humbling when you walk into any of our recipient charities and see first-hand the incredible work these dedicated Gold Coasters are making across our community.” Said Theodore.
“In most cases our charities are changing lives, however in many cases they are actually saving them and when you spend any amount of time with them, you quickly gain an understanding of their importance to the broader Gold Coast community, it certainly reaffirms our commitment to ensuring the Charity Drive continues as an integral component of the annual Usher Cup event.”
The selection of the ten charities was performed in collaboration with challenge-based charity App Fund My Challenge, which assists to amplify the message, reach and awareness for non-for-profit organisations. Fund My Challenge utilises a strict vetting process prior to onboarding charities and causes which ensures Usher Cup is only working with charities that are committed to raising and distributing funds directly to where they are needed most, as quickly as possible.
The Usher Cup is proud to support the following charities:
Serving Our People:
Serving Our People is Australia’s fastest growing charity. Established during the global pandemic in March 2020 to serve and support those in need by delivering anything to anyone in need. Serving Our People has grown to a mobilised team of more than 1,200 members across SE QLD & NSW all ready to support their community during time of crisis and in times of need.
Arcadia College
Arcadia College offers an alternative approach to education for young people who have disengaged from mainstream schooling. Catering for a diverse range of students’ needs, they provide a holistic approach to give students the best opportunities to build their future pathways and lives.
Gold Coast Hospital Foundation
The Gold Coast Hospital Foundation is a local community organisation that raises funds to support patients and their families by delivering local health programs and projects across the coast.
The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary provides refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence whilst they get back on their feet. Funded entirely by donations, this charity relies on the generosity of the community to continue its support services on the southern Gold Coast.
Friends with Dignity
Friends with Dignity helps support survivors of domestic violence after leaving everything behind – working in collaboration with refuge and crisis centres, they provide practical programs to assist survivors. Friends with Dignity aims to reduce the tolerance of such a crime as they step up, speak out and support.
Currumbin Wildlife Hospital
The Currumbin Wildlife Hospital helps to treat, rehabilitate, and release sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife to Australia’s fauna, whilst providing support and sanctuary for those who are unfit to be released.
Volunteering Gold Coast
Volunteering Gold Coast demonstrates the power and impact of volunteering to create inclusive communities that encourages connection, participation and giving back.
The Village School Gold Coast
The Village School Gold Coast provides a mix of learning philosophies, offering Prep to Year 6 primary schooling through two mixed aged classes namely, Prep-Year 2 and Year 3 – Year 6 with whole school, classroom, age group and individual learning opportunities. This allows for identification of individual strengths and gaps in their learning, ensuring each student has a personal learning plan created to ensure that each is supported or extended as needed.
Global Awakening Fund:
The Global Awakening has been created to be one of the most robust, vetted and honest Charity platforms on the planet. We built our platform to inspire global communities of world changers to take action.
World Mental Health Organisation:
World Mental Health Organisation supports grassroots mental health initiatives and programs to ensure donations are used effectively.
Usher Cup is extremely proud to launch the #10kforTEN campaign with the founders spending time visiting the organisations to see first-hand the impact they are having across the community. We look forward to sharing these stories with you.
To support the work of these amazing charities, please visit https://ushercup.fundmychallenge.com/ and donate today.