Big smiles for child charity

Rod McCall, Allan Harris, Anton Mogg, Josh Constable and Darren Lehmann at Smile for a Child golf day.

Smile for a Child Foundation reached a momentous milestone this year when it held its annual golf day last Friday at Noosa Golf Club with a full playing field of 160 golfers (40 teams of four) who enjoyed a great day of golf and raised an astounding $45,000 to help sick and disadvantaged kids.

This year’s contributions take the event’s total to an incredible $500,00 since is started 14 years ago.

In 2007 Glenn Puck Puckeridge took the idea of combining forces to contribute to the community to the managers of the Noosa Combined Clubs and now there are six clubs involved, Sunshine Beach and Noosa Heads surf clubs, Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club, Tewantin-Noosa and Cooroy RSL and Noosa Golf Club.

The clubs and Smile for a Child patrons Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Roger Cawley and Michael O’Connor convene to determine where the money will be allocated.

The event is driven by Puck and his offsider Little Jo Power along with help from 12-16 volunteers.

Puck thanked everyone for their continued support including Evonne and Roger, Michael O’Connor, Alan Harris, Tony and Tamara Giles, Anton Mogg, the Noosa Golf Club committee and their major sponsors.

“It’s for the kids … we wouldn’t have achieved what we have today without them,” he said.

The initiative raises funds for sick children, families and organisations such as Sunshine Butterflies, Starlight Foundation, Kids Foundation and local individuals that may be in need of intense medical care.

Apart from the named clubs, there is also the individual major sponsors, such as Tony Haack Sharp Sunshine Coast, Tony and Linda Jedynak Hotel Laguna, Paul Mitchel Bella Casa, Munna Beach Apartments and Andari Apartments. Their sponsorship regarding accommodation is and has been a major factor for years and food, drinks and restaurant prizes are also donated.