Our last TFN Live Sydney on 22 November was generously hosted by Clayton Utz.
This event showcased the collective power of giving after the audience heard the inspiring stories from three non-profit leaders at the forefront of social innovation. Those leaders and their organisations are listed below.
The exciting live pledging session was led by our MC James Valentine and raised over $220,000 across the three organisations.
Event partners:
Please note that 10% of funds raised is retained by TFN in agreement with the NFPs pitching as a contribution to our operational costs.
Grieving children who have experienced the death of someone they love can feel isolated and alone. They require ongoing support in developing strategies to cope and move forward with their lives following a significant loss. Feel the Magic is on a mission to create a world where children who are experiencing grief are supported to reach their full potential and succeed in spite of their loss. Their grief education and support program, Camp Magic, is a safe place where grieving children and teenagers aged 7-17 can grow and meet others in the same situation. Camp Magic follows a structured psychoeducational program, in addition to fun physical activities and resilience building challenges. They are pitching for funds to expand their program and run more camps that support grieving children in need. feelthemagic.org.au
Meet the presenter: James Thomas, Founder & Managing Director
In the wake of losing his mother, James realised the life he had created was unfulfilling and unrewarding. Trading his time for money and doing the things he didn’t enjoy didn't feel right. So, in 2012 he sold his business and founded Feel the Magic to give grieving children a voice and provide a safe place for them to grow and thrive from grief.
Operating in remote areas in Central West New South Wales, Down the Track (a program run by Lower Lachlan Community Services) exists to support disengaged and at-risk youth, promote engagement and self-esteem and reduce youth crime. They achieve this by providing these youth, 90% of whom are Indigenous, with training, education, employment pathways and community connection. Without the support of Down the Track, these youth are on a downward spiral of continual disengagement from their communities and positive life opportunities. Down the Track is seeking funding to purchase much-needed farm equipment and protective clothing to enable the participants to complete a Certificate II in Agriculture, gain employment on country, and become active and respected members of the community.
About the presenter: Lana Masterson, Program Coordinator
Lana is passionate about providing disengaged youth with a second chance and opportunities in life. She's a standout in the local community, connecting with kids in a way that is unparalleled and enabling them to believe in themselves and overcome generational disadvantage. As the Program Coordinator for Down the Track, Lana is dedicated to getting youth out on country, connecting them with their culture and engaging them with locally relevant employment pathways.
For mobility-impaired people, easily available information about access to restaurants, bars and public spaces simply doesn’t exist. So, they’re often prevented from doing things that most people take for granted. Co-founded by Max and his wife Justine, WheelEasy is on a mission to give wheelies and others with mobility issues a voice. Through their newly launched Access Information Website, they crowdsource reliable photo-based information for everything access related, to enable the mobility impaired and their companions to experience their cities and enjoy leisure time together. It’s like “TripAdvisor for everything access related”. They are seeking funds to recruit “wheelie ambassadors” to host a series of “Wheelie Great Days Out”, which will enable WheelEasy to grow their network and scale their platform. wheeleasy.org
Meet the presenter: Max Burt, Co-Founder
In 1999 Max was co-running a London advertising agency network when a life-changing car crash left him paralysed and in a wheelchair. Max and his wife Justine were both struck by just how many activities as a couple they couldn’t do together, so they co-founded WheelEasy in an effort to address this. Max’s personal experience drives his passion for bringing about a more inclusive life for mobility-impaired people, their friends and families.