A REAL estate agent’s commission donation to a fundraising event will be matched by the house’s owner.
Karl Latham has come up with possibly the most unique fundraising idea for the Trinity Powersports Sea-Fari – donating $5000 commission from the sale of a house. And when he told the owners about his plan, they said they were happy to match the $5000 as they had had positive experiences at Cairns Hospital.
The philanthropic associate director of Elite Cairns said he is thrilled to offer the donation to the event when the Reservoir Road house sells. Mr Latham has registered to take part in the event for the first time this year and says he is super excited for a number of reasons. “Our daughter Olivia was born10 weeks premature so we spent a lot of time at the Cairns Hospital and the staff were fantastic so this is an opportunity to give something back to a worthy cause,” Mr Latham said.
Several years ago he met the instigator of the event, Brian “Unit” Wilson, a cancer patient who was the tenant at a house Mr Latham was selling and had just been diagnosed with lung cancer.
“I remember Brian was telling me about his dream to go out to the islands on a jetski and I guess it’s always stayed in my mind. And I absolutely love jetskis and the idea of doing this charity ride up the coast to Port Douglas, which I’ve never done before, is really exciting.”
Mr Latham and wife Hailey are expecting their second child in just a few weeks so he thinks it might be his last chance to get out on his jetski for a little while. He will take part in the Trinity Powersports Sea-Fari from Yorkeys Knob to Port Douglas on Australia Day 2016.
The Trinity Powersports Sea-Fari powered by ZincFM, has been running since 2011 and in that time more than $60,000 has been raised. This money is specifically for the tranquillity room at the Cancer Care Ward at Cairns Hospital. Due to the Cairns Hospital redevelopment, planning for the tranquillity room is now underway with a view to starting construction in 2016.
Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation fundraising co-ordinator Nicole Gibson said fundraising this year would go towards equipment to ease the comfort of cancer patients undergoing treatment. Brian “Unit” Wilson was the event's inaugural sponsor donating $15,000 to kick-start it in 2011. Sadly, just two events later, Brian lost his battle with cancer. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a determined individual, who helped others before himself.
The Trinity Powersports Sea-Fari Great Barrier Reef Island Hop will depart Yorkeys Knob on January 26, stopping off at various islands on the way to Port Douglas for lunch. The Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation has been hosting a Seadoo personal watercraft art union at various shopping centres in Cairns and participants can register up until January 23. So far more than $24, 000 has been raised but the aim is to reach at least $40, 000.
The house being offered for sale is at http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-manoora-121173874
To register to take part or buy raffle tickets, visit www.seafari.org.au.
PHOTO: Foundation fundraising co-ordinator Nicole Gibson waves off Trinity Powersports Sea-Fari participant Karl Latham.
