novita news - Novita Children's Services

Sports ChallengeThere’s no ‘I’ in teamSports Challenge CommitteeRussell Ebert (Chairman)Geoff RanebergBarrie RobranJohn RiddellRon GreenSandra HutchinsonJohn IngeRobbi TimsSam LeakerPeter MarkerKatrina WebbSince the early 1990s, thededication and commitmentof Novita’s Sports ChallengeFoundation has proved over andagain that there really is no ‘I’ inteam.For 15 years, this passionate teamof sport-and-media oriented SouthAustralians has worked tirelessly toraise money for Novita’s clients andtheir families. And in the wake ofreaching an incredible $1.5 millionfundraising milestone in May, thisgroup and its fantastic events are stillkicking huge goals for Novita.‘We take our motto from WinstonChurchill’s quote that “we make aliving by what we get, but a life bywhat we give”,’ Russell says.‘For members of this committee andthe guests who attend our functions,it really is a win-win situation.‘Not only do we have the chanceto work with old friends and be partof these incredible events, we alsoknow that every hour we’re puttingin supports the work of Novita, andmakes a world of difference to morethan 1000 local kids.’Two of the Sports Challenge foundingmembers, Barrie Robran and Russell EbertThe Sports Challenge fundraisingmarathon began in the early 1990s,when two Novita staff membersworked with SA sporting personalitiesto raise funds to buy a much neededmodified bus for Novita clients.The partnership was so successfulthat these personalities joinedforces to form the Sports ChallengeFoundation – and the rest, as theysay, is history!Annual Sports Challenge events likethe Crows/Port Power ShowdownDinner and celebrity match and theSports Challenge Golf Day havenow become must-attend events onAdelaide’s social calendar, each yearraising thousands of dollars to helpprovide Novita clients with muchneededequipment and support.Founding member and SportsChallenge Chairman Russell Ebertsays being part of the committee is agreat way for the members to ‘give alittle bit back’ to the South Australiancommunity.The Sports Challenge committeetoday consists of 11 past and presentsporting and media celebritiesand business people, all of whomare passionate Novita supporters.The newest member, three-timeParalympian and CommonwealthSilver Medalist Katrina Webb, alsohas a very personal connection withNovita, since being diagnosed with amild form of Cerebral Palsy in 1995.Russell says the motivation tocontinue the committee’s great workcomes from seeing the happy smileson the faces of Novita’s children.‘Our most precious asset is ourchildren, and seeing first-hand howour work is making life-changingdifferences to these kids inspires usall to keep going.‘The Sports Challenge Foundationwill continue its work for Novita foras long as the kids and their familiesneed us.’16