Celebrity game show host Andrew O'Keefe pulled out all stops to get ‘the price right’ at an annual fundraiser to raise much needed funds for CatholicCare Sydney to help continue its vital work with some of Sydney’s most disadvantaged and marginalised children and families.

More than 200 guests had a fabulous time with Mr O’Keefe auctioning three very special and novel items including a can of Guinness beer at CatholicCare’s St Patrick’s Day luncheon at Parliament House on Friday, March 16.

The winning bid for the can of beer was a record $550. 

“Guests enjoyed the social occasion and were treated to pre-luncheon drinks, a two-course meal, Irish dancing, singing, a Leprechaun key raffle and a best-dressed competition for those who donned their lucky green Irish outfits,” said CatholicCare’s Fundraising Manager Catherine Spencer.

“The Luncheon was a truly enjoyable affair, raising a total of $15,000 to support CatholicCare’s services including the Early Childhood Intervention program.”  

CatholicCare, one of Sydney’s largest community service providers, work with more than 100 families from southwest Sydney and their children aged under six, who have severe intellectual or physical disabilities and need specialist therapy and assistance to be able to start school and participate in everyday life alongside their peers.

Chief Executive Officer Bernard Boerma said that CatholicCare has a 71 year history of innovation in social welfare programs and delivers locally-based, intervention and prevention programs to help people the most disadvantaged, devalued and distressed people in the community. 

Every year CatholicCare Sydney makes a difference to 50,000 men, women, families, teenagers and children from all backgrounds and all walks of life through financial counselling; treatment for drug, alcohol or gambling addictions, employment and training for those with disabilities; relationships counselling, short term emergency shelter for young women of domestic violence, respite for carers of the elderly, sick and disabled, home care, long term foster care, adoption services, dementia care as well as home care for the elderly.

Environmental Policy Statement

CatholicCare has a duty to care for and conseve the earth’s resources, as a steward rather than as a consumer. CatholicCare works for the integrity of creation in ways which assist all people in our community to have equity and access to a greater share of the earth’s resources by encouraging environmental sustainability and respect for the environment. We will strive to achieve this by reducing our impact on the environment where possible and influencing other organisations to do the same. More