Media Release 15 June, 2010
Youth Off The Streets sinks $100,000 hole-in-one with PMP Donation
Tuesday, 15 June, 2010 - Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets charity has welcomed a $100,000 donation from PMP Limited, raised during its recent charity golf day.
The inaugural event saw sporting greats including former test cricketer Doug Walters, AFL legend Tony Shaw, rugby great David Campese and surf champion Layne Beachley tee off at Sydney’s Lakes Golf Club in support of the well-known charity.
United behind a shared admiration for Father Riley, his staff and volunteers, the 22 sports stars and celebrities joined PMP in presenting a $100,000 donation to Youth Off The Streets to help the Sydney-based charity continue its work.
PMP CEO Richard Allely, who chaired the event, said he was thrilled to support a charity which had given so much to the community.
“Youth Off The Streets is an example of what human kindness is capable of with hard work and selfless dedication. Instead of turning his back on the terrible misfortunes of others, Father Riley decided to reach out and make a difference,” Mr Allely said.
“As an employer of more than 3000 people across Australia and New Zealand we are proud to support the local communities we operate in and hope the donation will assist Father Riley and his team continue its amazing work.”
Father Riley said he was uplifted by the show of support.
“It had been a tough day for me hearing of the incredible abuse of one of our young people over many years. It was heart-breaking stuff,” he said, “but when I entered the room to address guests at the PMP Charity Golf day, I felt emotionally lifted. PMP CEO Richard Allely’s warmth and support was overwhelming.”
Although himself the brightest star of the day, Father Riley admitted he felt privileged to sit beside one of his own personal heroes.
“Sitting next to Collingwood legend Tony Shaw was fantastic and I was later able to introduce him to my two Great Danes named ‘Collingwood’ and ‘Magpie’.
Other well-known identities to swing the golf clubs included TV presenter Kerri-Anne Kennerley, businessman and NRL identity Peter Holmes a Court, former test cricketer Michael Bevan, Commonwealth Games silver medallist Melinda Gainsford Taylor, and former rugby league stars Billy Moore, Brad Clyde and Jason Taylor.
Youth Off The Streets was founded by Father Chris Riley in 1991 after he witnessed hundreds of homeless youth living on the streets of Kings Cross during the late 1980s.
Father Riley subsequently initiated a food van service, which still operates today from Don Bosco House in Marrickville, feeding the homeless in Kings Cross every night – 365 days a year.
Youth Off The Streets now employs close to 200 staff in NSW and operates 25 programmes assisting young people between the ages of 12 to 21 who have suffered abuse, neglect, addiction and chronic homelessness.
The charity golf day and donation is part of PMP’s commitment to the community programme which sees Australia’s largest printing and distribution business play a role giving back to the communities of its 3000 members of staff across Australia and New Zealand.
Youth Off The Streets (YOTS) is a community organisation working for young people who are chronically homeless, drug dependent and recovering from abuse. It supports young people as they work to turn their lives around and overcome immense personal trauma such as neglect and physical, psychological and emotional abuse.
YOTS provides a full continuum of care to disadvantaged young people in New South Wales through early intervention programmes. Some of its core services include residential rehabilitation programs, drug and alcohol programmes and flexible education strategies.
In addition, it offers a national scholarship programme, a unique youth worker traineeship programme and a growing number of Outreach services in critical areas including South Western Sydney, The Hunter Region and rural areas such as Griffith.
It is YOTS’ core belief that compassion, support and education are the keys to transitioning disconnected young people back into the community as normal, healthy individuals.
For further information and interviews contact:
Rob Langford (02) 9818 0975
0416 914 002