Property players race for cerebral palsy charity

Property players race for cerebral palsy charityA team of enthusiastic property executives have braved the elements in their swimsuits and speedos to raise vital funds for children with cerebral palsy at the 20/Twenty Challenge in Sydney. For the twelfth year, 200 people, including business executives, families and friends, competed in a triathlon style event from Manly to Chinamen’s Beach, finishing at Clontarf. With the support of principal sponsor UBS, over $600,000 was raised to provide vital equipment to children with cerebral palsy – a record for the event. Companies involved included UBS, Lend Lease, Knight Frank, SCA Property Group, Charter Hall, Col Crawford, Aquasia and Macquarie Group. “I have a nephew with cerebral palsy and it opened my eyes to the complex needs of children with the condition.” said 20/Twenty co-founder and Mosman resident James Hodgkinson. “The government’s equipment process is under funded and involves long delays. We started 20/Twenty to get equipment to children as soon as possible. The community as a whole has pitched in.””Over the past 11 years 20/Twenty has raised over $5 million dollars and funded 2100 pieces of equipment. Today’s result adds to that and is the best yet,” said Rob White, CEO of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. “The kinds of equipment we’re talking about are vital for a child’s development and independence and include specially made wheelchairs, gait trainers, standing frames and language assist devices. Funds have also helped create an equipment loan pool, so if families no longer need a piece of equipment (for example if a child has grown out of their walker) it is returned and reallocated to another family.””What’s important for donors and teams to know is that every dollar they raise goes straight to this equipment fund and that’s where we come in,” explains David Singer of global investment bank and wealth manager, UBS, and 20/Twenty’s principal sponsor. “We cover the event’s costs so that every cent is used by these kids and families for their equipment needs. Their tenacity and strength inspire us and make us proud to participate.” From left to rightRichard Harding, Director, LJ Hooker MosmanRichard Stacker, Head of Direct Property, Charter HallRichard Horne, Managing Director, Knight FrankJames Hodgkinson, Non-Executive Director, SCA Property Group. Co-Founder of 20/Twenty Challenge and Governor of the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation. Antony Green, Head of Real Estate Australia, Macquarie CapitalRobert Hattersley, Chief Investment Officer, Lend LeaseRoss Ellice Flint, Senior Partner, Ellice Flint & Co. Co-Founder of 20/Twenty Challenge