Mercure Hotel Sydney and the Schwartz Foundation have donated AUD$20,000 to Australian children in need, with $10,000 each going to Royal Far West, which provides specialist health care to children from rural and remote areas, and Stewart House, which provides care to children in need of a break from their current circumstances.
“We are proud to donate to two charities that work so hard to improve the lives of children in need,” said Dr Jerry Schwartz, owner of the Mercure Hotel and several other major hotels in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
“We saw an affinity with these two charities as they provide hospitality and accommodation for disadvantaged children, and see this as just one small way we can give back to the community,” he said.
The Schwartz Foundation is a registered charity which believes in not only donating money, but is moreover about making a real contribution, educating people and bettering the community. It seeks to assist charities that are changing lives and to date has given more than AUD$2 million for a range of worthy causes.
Royal Far West is dedicated to providing specialist health care to children from remote rural areas of NSW, who might otherwise not be able to access this care. This includes children with developmental, behavioural, learning, emotional and mental disorders. They provide paediatric medical care, child and adolescent mental health, ophthalmology, dental and orthodontic care.
“Without the generous support of people like Jerry Schwartz and the Mercure Hotel we simply would not be able to look after the thousands of children who come through our doors each year so we are very grateful,” said Jann Kingston, CEO of Royal Far West.
“This money will be used to make a real difference in the lives of children from remote NSW who otherwise would not have access to proper medical health care,” Kingston said.
Stewart House provides children with much deserved time away from family pressures and school situations. Children are selected by their school principals to enjoy a 12-day stay during which they are given medical treatment such as ophthalmic and dental care, emotional support and education programs to help boost their self-esteem, social skills and promote a healthy lifestyle. The program helps to make tangible improvements in children’s lives by providing access to health screening and one-on-one support.
The Mercure Hotel Sydney and other Schwartz family hotels encourage a AUD$1 per room donation for each booking across more than 2500 rooms nationally. Schwartz said the Mercure will use the money it raises to help fund medical equipment for Royal Far West and Stewart House throughout 2011.
Pictured left to right: Jann Kingston (Rural Far West); Dr Jerry Schwartz; Greg Brady (General Manager Mercure Sydney); Amanda Pouli (Stewart House); and Lucie Reynolds (Royal Far West) at the cheque presentation on the terrace of the Mercure Hotel Sydney