OFF THE BEATEN TRACK 2024 – SYDNEY – Annual CDF Gala fundraiser – Photos thanks to Roy Grafix and Trevine Rodrigo
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Sydney’s expatriate community gathered in their numbers to pledge their support to CDF ( Cyril Dharmawardena Foundation) at the seventh annual fund raising event at the Epping Club.
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The not for profit and free service venture, originally the brainchild of the late Cyril Dharmawardena, is forging ahead with its humanitarian cause under the direction of Binara Dharmawardena, son of the founder who has committed to its continuity in memory of his dad.
The fund-raising event in Sydney at the Epping Club, was a colourful night featuring top dance band Replay 6 with Esric Jackson from Melbourne at a lavish dinner dance.
The fun filled event covered a fantastic three course dinner put on by the venue, raffle draws and silent auctions that was well patronised.
Sydney is an important addition to the growing wing of CDF which has plans to expand globally to raise much needed revenue to meet its obligations, says Binara.
Moves are currently underway to set up links with its progress in mind, with ambitions to set up CDF chapters in Canada, United States and other parts of the world to keep this service going.
As part of its first step, CDF is hoping that communities in London will support its inaugural event outside Australia on 30th November at the Thistle Hotel in Heathrow London.
CDF have, with the unstinted support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Australia, sent several Ambulances to Sri Lanka where its operation is aimed at the villages and outer regions of the country where transport to and from hospitals and medical facilities is difficult for the terminally ill and impoverished living in rugged terrain.
The Ambulances sent are state of the art vehicles used in Australia which are donated during upgrades and are equipped with the latest technology available during medical emergencies.
“Off the beaten track” underlines the challenges faced by staff manning these vehicles as they work in hard to access homes in the outer regions.
CDF funds the running and maintenance of the vehicles sent, pays the wages of those working in different capacities to make the operation smooth and efficient, and oversee all aspects of its involvement in the project, says Binara.
CDF has laid a well planned road transport infrastructure of a comprehensive system of Ambulances in the North and the South of Sri Lanka.
Fully trained staff work with hospital and patient engagement systems and processes .
A resource pool who is on a payroll have been with the organisation more than 5 years.
CDF ambulances are state of the art ambulance vehicles with world class streature systems, dual air conditioners fitted with many medical facilities.
How did CDF do this ?.
CDF has been operating for 10 years raising millions of dollars. CDF gradually created and expanded the service. Important to state that all Management teams in Sri Lanka and Australia are volunteers. Only the drivers and patient attendants are on the payroll.
What are the main expenditure of CDF to sustain the existing service. ?.
Fuel, Wages, Maintenance. Nearly one third for each of the 3 main expenses
Just like all other charities CDF does incur admin expenses. But the difference is CDF is the lowest among all charities. In its 10 year history CDF never gone beyond 9% of admin. Average admin % of CDF for the last 10 years CDF is 6.4% which means nearly 94 cents out of a
The road ahead is challenging, assures Binara, but his unwavering commitment to make this project viable and continuous for the cause makes it all worthwhile, he says.
Pix. By Roy Graffix and Trevine Rodrigo.
What was held in Sydney
Annual CDF Gala fundraiser was held at the Epping Club, Grand Ballroom in Sydney NSW on Sat 10th Aug 24. This is the 7th consecutive CDF event in Sydney. This event was not held in 2020 and 2021 for obvious reasons.
Annual Sydney fundraiser is a key event to CDF – ideally about a quarter of CDF’s annual budget to be generated from this event in NSW.
Sydney is home for some of the most affluent expat communities. CDF is a well-known charity among the Sydney well-wishers.
CDF was lucky enough to receive several corporate sponsorships. This year CDF received gifts from some of the iconic Hotels in Sydney. Sri Lankan Airlines was generous enough to give two return tickets. Historically CDF gets ample high end jewellery items and high value sporting memorabilia.
Media wall represented the solid support network of CDF.
CDF Gala fundraiser 2024 was a successful event. In March 2024 CDF held its flagship event in Melbourne. In November 2024 CDF will hold its inaugural event in London giving the opportunity to people in the United Kingdom to see the phenomenal achievements of this very special and cause and the charity.
What is CDF charity
CDF is a complete end to end free of charge service to impoverished terminally ill patients – enabling timely treatment regardless of distance, time and cost. CDF is a regulated charity in Australia by the Australian Government and CDF receives the Tax-deductible status which is a very rare and privileged status encouraging donors to donate to CDF. Globally, CDF is the most consistent Sri Lankan Charity with continuous momentum without dropping the torch
Who receives the CDF service
Underprivileged terminally ill patients who don’t have capability, funds and privilege to get to a hospital for treatment/test/scans. CDF is an End-to-End service road transport service provider. CDF provide both inbound and outbound service to a hospital & home
What entails in the service
CDF has laid the road transport infrastructure of a comprehensive fleet of Ambulances in the North and the South of Sri Lanka. CDF has trained staff who work with hospitals. CDF set up a patient engagement system and process. CDF has a resource pool who is on a payroll and most of them have been with the organisation more than 5 years. CDF ambulances are state of the art ambulance vehicles with world class stretcher systems, dual air conditioners fitted with many medical facilities.
CDF plans
CDF has great ambitions to set up CDF chapters in Canada, United States, and other parts of the world to keep this service going for decades to come. As part of its first step CDF is hoping that communities in London will support its inaugural event outside Australia on 30th November at the Thistle Hotel in Heathrow London.
Please click here to view the full photo album on eLanka Facebook page
