East Coast Bays Rotary Club once again pulled off a fantastic day with their annual ‘Drive 4 Life’ Golf Day Fundraiser. Held on October 29th at Waitematā Golf Club, this year marked the 20th anniversary of the event. Committee organiser Rod Fergusson said, “Once again we had a great day supported by many local businesses and we are so proud to again support our local causes.”
In addition to supporting the local community, the Rotary Club of East Coast Bays again supported Well Foundation, the official charity for Waitematā DHB, with their project to provide sleeping chairs for the maternity ward at North Shore Hospital.
Research shows that having partners or support people stay overnight in hospital with mums and babies complements the care of maternity staff and helps to reduce anxiety for new mums, at a time when they may feel stressed and vulnerable. Enabling partners, or a support person, to comfortably sleep overnight on the ward helps to create bonding time for families during this very special time.
While the ongoing impacts of Covid-19 were felt at the event and throughout the planning period, the team was fortunate to be able to safely hold the event outside of alert level restrictions. Once again the local community came together and raised in excess of $38,000, an incredible result!
Well Foundation CEO, Tim Edmonds said, “We are so grateful for the long-standing and generous support we have had, and continue to have, from the Rotary Club of East Coast Bays. The money raised this year is going to help us advance healthcare in our local community starting from the very first moments of life.”
More than 30 teams of golfers took to the course on the day to support the cause, and Rod added, “East Coast Bays Rotary Club made the decision that this project would be a worthy project that will benefit many within our local community. This is the fundraiser the whole of our club membership gets involved in by assisting in the running of the Golf Tournament.”
Drive 4 Life was again supported by generous, long-standing principle sponsor North Shore Taxis and major sponsor Ryman Healthcare. The club also received support from the Rotary Foundation.
Jacob Patel, Chairman of Auckland Co-op Taxis and North Shore Taxis said "Although 2020 has proven to be a challenging year for all of us, we are thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this year’s Drive 4 Life. Drive 4 Life is a charity event that we hold close to our hearts as we know full well of the value this event holds for the community. To be able to collaborate, convene and work in partnership with the Rotary Club of East Coast Bays and Well Foundation for the benefit of the community all these years has been an honour."
