WHEN “TIME SHARED” IS MONEY FOR CHILDREN Aussies join global children’s charity fundraising golf tournament to raise $60,000

Swinging a golf club, having lots of fun, and winning great prizes seems an unlikely way to raise money for children’s charities. But the Australian timeshare community heavyweights swung into action again this year as a part of a worldwide effort by timeshare industries to support the Christel House Open global golf fundraising day. 

This incredible fundraiser sees golfing tournaments being held on the same day across six continents, spanning more than two dozen golf courses, in nine countries, across 22 time zones, with the Gold Coast event was the Australian time share industry’s contribution to the global effort.

Held at Lakelands Golf Course on the Gold Coast, the Australian Timeshare Industry Christel House Open raised over $60,000 through sponsorships, auctions, frivolous activities on the holes and general good will. The event was won by the team from Classic Holidays.

Overall the event raised over $60,000 through sponsorships, auctions, frivolous activities on the holes and general good will.

Funds from this year’s event will be used by Mudgeerba Special school (catering for 5-18 yr olds diagnosed with Intellectual Impairment) - to refurbish their Snozeleon Room, which is a stimulating and safe environment for students with senory deficits.

The purchase of new tactile panels for visual stiumation, motor planning, comunication and scocial interaction will also complement the existing musical floor, bubble tubes and acrylic mirrors and create a better learning environment for the kids.

The event, which was held last Friday, culminated in the delivery of financial support by the industry, for the second year for Variety Queensland, the very active ATHOC Foundation and Christel House Children’s charity.

Christel House is a charity that helps children around the world break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient, contributing members of their societies. Children in India, Mexico, South Africa, Venezuela and the United States currently benefit from Christel House’s work.100% of all donations fund programs directly benefiting Christel House children.

“Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural event, the whole timeshare industry has rallied behind the event as one, and it affords us an opportunity to make a major financial contribution to local and global charities - where we all operate today,” says Marty Kandel CEO of Accor Premiere Vacation Club, the company who was behind the inaugural event in 2006.

“All the leaders in the Australian Timeshare Industry, Accor Premiere Vacation Club, Accor Hospitality, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific, RCI, Interval International, Classic Holiday and ICE Vacations have joined in, and donated cash and prizes, sponsored holes, and played golf at Lakelands which saw corporate guests mingle with Layne Beachley (world Champion women’s surfer), Novotel’s pro golfer Marcus Cain and proud Variety supporter Richard Champion (ex Brisbane Lions) and philanthropic local business people.

ABOUT APVC

Accor Première Vacation Club has been operating in Australia since 2000, with over 19,000 members utilising the benefits of flexible Holiday Ownership system in Australia, Asia and around the globe. For more information www.apvc.com.au

ABOUT ATHOC

The Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council (ATHOC) is a not-for-profit body established in 1994 to represent all interests of the Australian timeshare industry and to work toward national industry best practice. ATHOC provides representation for the entire industry, from resort developers to timeshare owners themselves. For more information visit www.athoc.com.au

ABOUT THE ATHOC FOUNDATION

The ATHOC Foundation aims to assist those faced with unforeseen emergencies in the local community. Hosting the ATHOC 2006 Christel House Open was the first of many endeavours to raise funds for this worthy Foundation.

ABOUT VARIETY

Variety Queensland is a division of the international charity which prides itself on assisting the sick, disabled and disadvantaged children of the world. Since its inception in Australia, Variety has raised over $100 million for children in need. In the last year alone, Variety Queensland was proud to grant $2.3 million worth of assistance across our state including everything from lifesaving operations and Sunshine Coaches for school children in remote or disadvantaged communities, to equipment for children’s hospitals, communication and mobility devices, wheelchairs and wtalking frames, camps for sick and disabled children, learning aides, cochlear implants to restore hearing, and much, much, more. Everyone can help better the life of special needs children. For more information visit www.varietyqld.org

For media information or more pictures from the day - please contact:

Cynthia Dammerer

Public Relations Manager APVC – (61) 7 5564 0034

Mobile 0409 594 766 or email c.dammerer@bigpond.com