Celebrities gathered in Sutherland Shire to show their support for a worthy cause this month.
The Shire Society Events hosted its annual charity dinner on April 29 at Doltone House, Sylvania.
A total of 426 people including volunteers attended the Avenir de l'espoir (‘future of hope’) event, which was a great success.
Guests raised an impressive $206,000 for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation at Randwick.
It was a big step up from last year’s event, which raised $165,000.
This year marked the event’s fifth year, and each year it has grown to raise more funds.
The foundation helps the hospital care for more than 78,000 critically ill and injured children each year.
Funds will go towards the purchase of a state-of-the-art lighting system for operating theatres, two high definition paediatric gastroscopes, and a camera and monitor for ear operations.
Founder of Shire Society Events, Katie Potocki, of Barden Ridge, was inspired to launch the event following her family’s experience.
The former elite cyclist was hit by a car at Germany, 2005, when she was competing with the Australian National Cycling Team.
She suffered severe injuries to her legs, arms, lungs and abdomen, and was told she would struggle to conceive.
But she had three children – a boy, Axel, now 8, and twin girls, Ivy and Zara, now 5.
“I was told I wouldn’t be able to have children,” Mrs Potocki said.
“I did fall pregnant, but I had problems with my pregnancies.
“My son had to have emergency surgery at two weeks old, and my girls had heart and blood problems.
“We spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital for eight years.
“It’s such a community there where everyone tries to help each other, so this was about giving back to them as they gave back my kids.”
Now as head coach of Sydney Metro Academy, Mrs Potocki, 33, hopes to grow the event well into the future.
“I always planned this event to be big because I’m a competitive person,” she said.
“We’ve got a lot of loyal sponsors in our corner.”
Sutherland Shire sponsors included Sutherland Volkswagen and Forming Circles Global.
