SEW-EURODRIVE charity night reaps $110K for Mental Illness Fellowship

A night of entertainment and fun has capped off SEW-Eurodrive's 2011 charity event, an annual event held in support of the Mental Illness Fellowship (MI Fellowship) of Victoria. Around 300 guests attended the 15 October dinner event at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium, where they were treated to a smorgasbord of entertainment, fine dining and dance. The night's entertainment program included band "Essential", comedian Peter Dee and was hosted by Radio Sport National's Michael Christian.

The dinner was coupled with SEW-Eurodrive's charity golf tournament held in late September, which was attended by more than 130 players/donors at Southern Golf Club. In total, the two charity events amassed $110,000 for MI Fellowship Victoria. This sum was presented by SEW-Eurodrive's chairman, Andrew Mansour and managing director, Robert Merola, to the chief executive of MI Fellowship Victoria, Elizabeth Crowther, at the end of the evening.

A centerpiece of the night was the charity auction. Run by Bill Karp of Barry Plant Doherty Real Estate--a long-term supporter of the charity event over its fourteen years --the auction offered up a treasure-trove of items to the audience. The lively auction saw fast and furious bidding for items such as a Chris Judd replica Brownlow Medal, a guitar autographed by all four members of the Rolling Stones, a Toshiba wide screen TV and a variety of jewellery.

Equally entertaining were the antics of comedian, Peter Dee, with his madcap jokes and parody songs. Guests also enjoyed a silent auction, raffle and selection of door prizes, meaning there were very few guests who went home empty-handed.

The night also presented a serious side, in the form of a touching speech from guest speakers Ben Rinaudo and Mel Kelleher, who present community radio program, "Brainwaves", on station 3CR. This radio show is one of the many MI Fellowship programs that funding from SEW's now-renowned charity event has gone towards. The audience had the chance to hear how their donations directly affected these participants. Every person involved in the production and delivery of Brainwaves has a lived experience of mental illness, and is connected to Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria.

On presenting the cheque to MI Fellowship, Merola noted the tenacity of the golfers at Southern Golf Club--a tenacity that was only matched by the generosity of the audience attending the charity dinner. "It has certainly been a great night, and one that has brought in quite a tidy sum for MIF Fellowship," he said. "Working with our Financial Controller, David O'Halloran, SEW-Eurodrive has rounded this up to $110, 000."

Crowther outlined the important work undertaken by MI Fellowship--work that addresses the education, employment and housing of Victorians with serious mental illness problems. She noted that, over the past 14 years, SEW-Eurodrive has raised more than $1.5 million to sponsor this important work. "Your donations here tonight directly helps MI Fellowship Victoria find employment, provide education and housing for mental illness sufferers," she said to the Etihad Stadium audience. "We couldn't achieve anything like we do without you and SEW-Eurodrive. I thank you so very very much."

www.sew-eurodrive.co.uk