Angels Rising huge success - Austal pledge $300k

Anglicare WA is celebrating the success of its first ever major fundraising event held inside Saint Georges’ Cathedral in the city.

On Friday 10 November more than 260 guests came along to support Anglicare WA’s counselling and support service dedicated to children experiencing family and domestic violence: Young Hearts.

Young Hearts receives no government funding and survives entirely on public donations and corporate philanthropy.

Anglicare WA Chief Executive Officer, Ian Carter, said the quality of the event and the cause it was promoting made for a great night.

“People really rallied behind this cause, with first class food by Executive Chef Chris Taylor from Frasers Events and Catering, and top shelf entertainment by Clara Helms, Gina Williams with Guy Ghouse, and Cathrine Summers,” Mr Carter said

Called ‘Angels Rising’, the fundraising event was designed to bring in enough money to keep open the Rockingham Young Hearts program and hopefully re-open the Mandurah program which was forced to close last year due to lack of funds.

“Sponsors and generous guests were absolutely marvellous, but Austal, in particular were magnificent – pledging $300,000 over three years to the cause. This unexpected announcement on the night by its CEO David Singleton drew a standing ovation and had many people in tears,” Mr Carter said.   

Mr Carter said Austal had been supporters of Young Hearts for several years given their community connections and social footprint in the Rockingham and Mandurah regions, but the recent donation was beyond all expectations.     

Other generous sponsors included Hawaiian, Willie Creek Pearls, Civmec, Barrington Consulting Group, Hemsley-Patterson, Fleetwest, Kia, Ferngrove Wines and Gage Roads Brewing. 

Mr Carter said he was delighted with the success of the evening, which was a deliberate break from the past tradition of holding the annual Anglicare WA Op Shop Ball.

“It’s clear that our inaugural Angels Rising, Dinner in the Cathedral, has created a whole new experience for charity fundraising in Perth and I can see it becoming an annual event for us for many years to come,” he said.