The MFA NGEN community has broken the fundraising record as it raises $41,063 for UnLtd charity partner, Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD) at its three-city NGEN Charity Cup Dodgeball Tournament.
The amount raised exceeded NGEN’s goal of raising $40,000, with competing teams selling raffle tickets for prizes generously donated by industry supporters, including a chopper ride over Sydney harbour by the Australian Traffic Network, corporate tickets at the MCG by News Corp Australia, tickets to Mamma Mia the Musical by Lad Bible Australia, VIP tickets to Australia vs West Indies at the Gabba by the Seven Network, and many more. The sum also beat last year’s record of $38,328 raised for The Pinnacle Foundation.
Three dodgeball tournaments were held in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane as part of the annual NGEN Charity Cup, now in its ninth year – with more than 400 NGENers taking to the courts.
NGEN Charity Cup in Melb
The aim of the NGEN Charity Cup is to raise much-needed funds for youth charities as well as provide an opportunity for members of NGEN – a community for those with less than five years’ experience in the media industry – to come together for a round of teamwork and networking with their peers.
This year’s Cup was sponsored by OMD as Silver Sponsor in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, and VMO Active in Brisbane. In Melbourne, local music promotion company Thick as Thieves provided DJs, while MMAD supplied a DJ in Sydney and a singer in Brisbane, to bring great tunes and good vibes for dodgeball participants and spectators.
Teams from both media agencies and media owners battled it out for the top spot in three categories – Dodgeball Champs, Best Dressed, and Most Money Raised.
A new award for the highest fundraisers nationally went to oOh!Media, who raised $6,977.
Musicians Making a Difference is an Australian charity that uses the power of music to help over 20,000 at-risk young Australians every year across 15 communities, and a further 1.5 million people through online initiatives.
MMAD founder Dominic Book said: “Thanks to NGEN and everyone who raised money for MMAD, we’re able to support at-risk, vulnerable and disadvantaged young people who are experiencing generational poverty, mental health challenges and homelessness through six months of creative group therapy. Every young person deserves someone who believes in them and the opportunity to live their potential, and the funds raised through this initiative will transform so many young lives through music.”
Melanie Aslanidis, the MFA’s Hhead of NGEN, added: “The NGEN community never ceases to amaze me with their energy, enthusiasm and commitment to being true Changers. They have to work really hard to raise the money in order to participate in the NGEN Charity Cup – selling raffle tickets, hosting cake bake sales and office barbecues – so there’s a lot of activity that goes into it before they even hit the courts to dodge balls. This year’s phenomenal $41,063 amount is testament to their commitment to making an impact on the work of our chosen charities. Thank you to everyone for giving it their all.”
MFA NGEN in Sydney
–
Top image: MFA NGen in Brisbane