Giving Day 2024 – together, we will help more kids

March 5, 2024March 21, 2024Events

“I am delighted to be able to support the great work of CBTS. As Winston Churchill said, ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.’”
Giving Day donor

Yesterday, Cottage by the Sea raised $225,444 for its Giving Day thanks to more than 330 supporters. The annual fundraiser harnessed the generosity of the community to support more children and their families. In addition to donating individually, people also joined forces with their family, friends and colleagues to support Giving Day through team fundraising. Generous matching donors doubled all Giving Day donations.

“During our 134 years of operation, we’ve been largely dependent on events and fundraisers like this,” said Adam Wake, Cottage by the Sea CEO. “Unfortunately, the demand has increased and we look to the future on how we can offer more to more children in need.”

“We do receive wonderful support from the community, organisations and companies, and without it we would not be able to do the work that we do for those who need it the most. Our support for Giving Day has increased year on year. We had 202 donors in 2022, 270 donors in 2023 and 332 donors in 2024. It was an amazing day again – thank you to everyone who supported Cottage. Apart from seeing (and hearing) the kids every day having fun on our programs, the best bit about the job is the wonderful people out there who support Cottage.”

“The funds raised on Giving Day will offer kids some of the best memories of their lives. The experiences on our programs are life-defining – swimming with dolphins and seals, fishing, surfing and so much laughter. Children go home with memories for life and gifts (again, from our incredible supporters). More children need this. This is why we are redeveloping our secondary onsite facility, Riptide Cottage, which will support an additional 700 children each year on our programs. We look forward to welcoming more children to experience the inspiration, fun and opportunity that a Cottage program provides. We want to help more kids – together we can.”

Cottage by the Sea is an independent Australian children’s charity that does not rely on government funding. Its mission is to enhance the lives of children by providing inspiration, fun and opportunity within a holiday environment. To maintain its high quality of children’s programs while the cost of living increases, Cottage needs the generosity and philanthropic support of individuals, trusts and corporations.

This year’s Giving Day matching donors included Bulls & Bears Golf Group, GW Vowell Foundation, Randall Foundation, Shine On Foundation, Social Enterprise Group and The Bourne Foundation, among other donors who prefer to remain anonymous.