On Friday, August 31st, Be Centre celebrated 10 years of their charitable cause at their Annual Gala Fundraising Dinner at the Doltone House in Jones Bay Wharf in Pyrmont, Sydney.

Active Cares is an ongoing supporter of Be Centre who this year celebrates 10 years of operations. Be Centre is a children’s mental health charity specialising in one-to-one Play Therapy to provide vital emotional support to vulnerable children aged 3-12 years whose lives have been impacted by serious trauma, anxiety, depression or other life challenges. This year the children’s charity is celebrating 10 years since it opened its doors to young kids going through trauma and their families.

This year the event attracted over 350 people who generously supported this fundraiser at the online and live auction, the raffle ticket sales and donations raising over $100,000. This year’s efforts will provide hope and healing through Play Therapy, to empower children who are experiencing emotional, social or behavioural difficulties, or who have been traumatised, to be the best they can be. Active International celebrated the event with our industry friends and was present on the night as corporate table sponsor as well as donating major prizes auctioned on the night. 

Deborah Killelea, Founder & Chair of Be Centre commented: “We are a self-funded charity providing one-to-one Play Therapy for kids aged 3–12 years. We are dedicated to early intervention, stopping cycles of harm and helping children heal from difficulties and major trauma, so they can thrive.

“Our vision is to help as many children as possible. Be Centre was named to allow children to BE themselves” she added.

Amongst the event’s guests, was the Hon. Robert Stokes, MP who delivered an emotional speech on the night about the importance of supporting such charities that help make a lifetime of difference in the lives of young Australian children impacted by serious trauma and help them become resilient and reach their full potential.

The Master of Ceremonies was Simon Reeve, television presenter and host for the Seven Network, as well as the Be Centre’s Ambassador for the last 5 years, creating some extra magic on the night with his warm personality and extraordinary talent.

The prizes offered on the live auction included:  Luxury escapes to Hamilton island & Wanaka in New Zealand, scenic flight and lunch to the Hunter Valley, VIP NRL Grand Final tickets including exclusive add ons, art pieces, and many big brand products.

“Through early intervention and stopping cycles of harm, Be Centre helps change the trajectory of young, troubled lives. We are committed to giving children the opportunity to reach their full potential and to create brighter futures for themselves, their families and the community” says Andrew Lamble, Be Centre CEO.

Be Centre is one of the many charities supported by UnLtd, a social purpose organisation connecting the media, marketing and creative industry with charities working with at-risk children and young people.

Some of the major sponsors of Be Centre include GroupM, Active International Australia, Microhire, Doltone House, and Acorn Press. This year the event received great support from the media industry with Facebook, oOh! Media, NewsCorp, Nine Network, Southern Cross Austereo, SBS, and Nova as corporate table supporters.

ABOUT

Established in 2008, Be Centre is the only centre of its kind in Australia providing effective and evidenced-based Play Therapy programs for disadvantaged and vulnerable children, who otherwise could not access vital therapeutic support.

Play is a child’s natural medium of communication, it allows children to make their internal world external, giving children the opportunity to ‘act out’ situations which are disturbing, conflicting and confusing to them. Children in trauma need to be able to retrace and express the trauma to heal and move forward. This year Be Centre celebrates its 10th Birthday.