Make a diary note for this fabulous community FUNdraising event which has raised near $60,000 to support kids with cancer and their families.
NSW’s biggest family-fun watercraft event, the Davistown Putt Putt Regatta and Wooden Boat Festival celebrates the Central Coast’s culture, heritage and local character, and is returning bigger and better than ever on Sunday 13 October 2024 – with a full day festival including free entertainment, food and market stalls, action on the water and more.
The Davistown Putt Putt Regatta and Wooden Boat Festival has taken place on the Central Coast since 1996/1997 and has been fundraising for Kids with Cancer Foundation since 2019. Over the course of four events – including postponements and re-coordinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and stormy weather – the Putt Putt has raised over $59,476 to support kids with cancer and their families from the local area and surrounds.
At the October 2023 Davistown Putt Putt Regatta and Wooden Boat Festival:
- 17,000 people attended
- 40+ market stalls were on display at the Regatta
- The 2023 event raised nearly $23,000
“Since the beginning of November 2023 to date, we have paid over $26,000 in financial assistance to families of kids with cancer being treated at John Hunter Children’s Hospital – which is the key paediatric oncology hospital for children from the Central Coast and Hunter region,” said Todd Prees, CEO of Kids with Cancer Foundation.
“Our family financial assistance is paid in the form of rent and mortgage payments, grocery and petrol vouchers, and household bills. These funds were generated by the Davistown Putt Putt Regatta and Wooden Boat Festival and both our team at Kids with Cancer Foundation and the families we support are hugely grateful to the Putt Putt organising committee and Central Coast community for their support,” said Todd Prees, CEO of Kids with Cancer Foundation.
As well as providing direct financial support to families, Kids with Cancer Foundation supports oncology wards in children’s hospitals through funding oncology ward positions, ward fitouts, refurbishments, and capital works.
Kids with Cancer Foundation has been working with John Hunter Hospital since 1999 and has provided over $900,000 to fund oncology ward improvements and clinical staff over this time.
TIMELINE of Kids with Cancer Foundation’s support of John Hunter Children’s Hospital:
- August 1999 first support with Oncology Office Equipment
- February 2001 further capital support for Air filtration systems in Oncology Rooms
- May 2002 Ward J1 Refurbishment $50k
- November 2002 first clinical position funded – Nurse Educator
- February 2008 Major capital injection to refurbish Paediatric Oncology Day Unit $250K
- February 2008 first clinical support of Late Effects Coordinator position (position supported through to today )
- July 2018 first Clinical Nurse Specialist funded
- January 2022 KWCF begins funding annual Oncology Fellowship
- 2023: KWCF commences funding cooking program – providing respite, rehab and fun for paediatric oncology patients.
Kids with Cancer Foundation also supports the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, which includes The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, The Children’s Hospital at Randwick, and Bear Cottage – which can also treat patients from the Central Coast and Hunter depending on their needs.
Sunday October 13: Putt Putt Regatta, including market stalls and festival
Location: Davistown Waterfront
Time: 9am to 4pm
Cost: free, or gold coin donation / card-tap for Kids with Cancer
A day-long festival on the Davistown Waterfront including free centre-stage entertainment, fabulous views of the heritage boats in action on the water, kids activities, market stalls, plus marine and motor vehicle displays and more.
“Due to a number of circumstances beyond our control, the Organising Committee has regrettably had to cancel the 2024 Heritage Ferry Challenge schedule for Saturday 12th October. We look forward to bringing you a bigger and better event in 2025.
The Putt Putt Charity Dinner on Friday October 11 and the Putt Putt Regatta on Sunday October 13 will continue as planned”
Visit us on: http://www.davistownputtputt.com
Photos; Davistown Putt Putt Regatta & Wooden Boat Festival
