The Route 66 Fundraiser was started in Ireland by former member of Ireland’s Garda Siochana, Ken Brennan and a colleague, who wanted to undertake the historic route and made a local hospital the beneficiary of their efforts. Ken who has since migrated to Australia with his partner Louise, an AFP member, suggested the idea of adapting the ride to benefit Australian Police Legacy charities. This event is designed for police members, their families and supporters. In order to nominate to ride in the event, you must raise a minimum of $2000 for an Australian Police Legacy of your choice. Enquiries about nominations, fundraising and sponsorship of this event, can be sent to AFPLegacy-route66@afp.gov.au.
The Police Charity Ball has been fundamental in AFP Legacy fundraising activities since the charity’s inception. The Ball is a popular event in the AFP calendar, open to members, friends, family, sponsors and legatees who gather at the event which is usually held in September/October each year. In 2015, more than $20,000 was raised which will go towards supporting police families who have lost loved ones.
The National Police Remembrance Wall to Wall Ride began in 2009 and has now become a much anticipated charity event in commemoration of the service and sacrifice of Australian police, and raises much needed funds for Police Legacy Schemes. Each of the Australian police jurisdictional contingents arrives at the outskirts of the national capital to meet and join the other contingents of riders, to then travel to the National Police Memorial for a ceremony in honour of the fallen. Registrations for this years’ Wall to Wall Ride are now open. Visit walltowallride.com and like the Facebook page for more information.
The National Police Legacy Conference is an annual event that brings together State and Territory Police Legacies to discuss common issues, share knowledge and experience and developments in the not-for-profit sector. A different State or Territory hosts the conference each year. In 2016, AFP Legacy will be hosting the National Police Legacy Conference in Canberra from 5 to 7 August.
Reiley and Oliver’s smiles lit up the crowd this week after they were presented with special certificates of appreciation and gift vouchers from AFP Legacy for their fundraising efforts last year.
The family spent several weeks last Christmas decorating their home in Gordon, ‘Griswold style’ to open it up to the public – all in the name of AFP Legacy.
The family raised over $1500, three times the amount raised in previous years.
AFP Legacy’s brand awareness reached new heights at GIO Stadium Canberra on Saturday, where it was named Charity of the Day, and the AFP Commissioner and AFP Legacy President gave a shout out before the Raiders v Panthers match.
Speaking to a crowd of 11,500, AFP Commissioner, Andrew Colvin and AFP Legacy President, Detective Superintendent Shane McLennan were given on-field airtime to promote the work of AFP Legacy.
“We have a very active and hard-working police legacy organisation in place for our employees. AFP Legacy plays a significant role in the health of the AFP and in maintaining contact with those who have lost a loved one,” said Commissioner Colvin.
“We are a big family and AFP Legacy helps to bring us together as one.”
On the field, the Raiders managed to beat out the visitors 30–22 under 36 degree heat in what was a game of mental tenacity.
Volunteers took collections and sold merchandise during the match, raising over $1800 for AFP Legacy.
As part of the promotion, a lucky group of Legatee kids were also given free corporate box tickets to watch the match live.
AFP Legacy, joined by members of ACT Policing and 14 new recruits have put a smile on the faces of sick kids after making a special visit to the Paediatric and Oncology units at Canberra Hospital.
Members, including special guests Constable Kenny Koala, Superintendent Cassie and Tilly the koala, chatted to the kids and handed out Kenny Koala toys, balloons and colouring books.
The team also sat and spoke with patients in Oncology whilst they underwent their cancer treatment.
AFP Legacy Vice President Owen Law said that the visit was a great chance for AFP Legacy to support community members in need and was extremely well received by the patients, staff and members of the public.
“AFP Legacy exists to support AFP families under the most extreme circumstances. This gave an opportunity to extend that support to the families of the community in which AFP play a part,” he said
“The looks on the faces of the kids in the paediatrics wards was truly unforgettable and extremely rewarding,” he said.
Manager of Canberra Hospital Foundation Caitlin Silec said the Foundation was incredibly grateful to the AFP for spending time with patients.
“The patients benefited greatly from the visit and a noticeable boost in morale was seen by all in attendance. The Canberra Hospital Foundation hopes that the recruits will be able to visit again to benefit patients at Canberra Hospital.”
To wrap up the successful visit AFP Legacy provided the hospital staff with a number of cakes in appreciation for the wonderful work they do.
Television personality Karl Stefanovic and AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin joined forces on 17 October to smoke up the barbecue in support of the AFP Legacy Breakfast.
Mr Stefanovic brought his recently released cookbook and a mountain of good will to feed the hungry masses at Sydney Office and raise awareness and funds for the seven police legacy organisations across jurisdictions in Australia.
The Sydney barbecue raised $2500 on the day and all proceeds from Mr Stefanovic’s book, ‘Karl Cooks’, will be donated to Police Legacy charities.
President AFP Legacy Shane McLennan thanked Mr Stefanovic, Commissioner Colvin and Sydney Office for the support.
He said the aim of the event was to raise awareness of Police Legacy organisations, particularly AFP Legacy, and the money raised was an added bonus.
“Karl was approached by a publisher to produce a cookbook and very much off his own bat decided to donate the proceeds to Police Legacy,” Detective Superintendent
Channel Nine’s Today Show host Karl Stefanovic is a strong supporter of Police Legacies throughout Australia and the work that they do. He has pledged his support to all Australian Police Legacies by donating all proceeds of his book ‘Karl Cooks’ to be distributed between the various Police Legacies. The book is published by Hachette Australia and is available for $29.99 where all good books are sold.