Australia’s accommodation industry has come to the aid of a friend in need, raising AUD$100,000 for Hotelier Ted Wright who recently suffered a debilitating stroke.
Held at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney – a property Ted was General Manager of for 23 years when it was The Regent Sydney – on April 23, the Ted Wright Benefit brought together all corners of the accommodation industry to help raise money for his care going forward.
Ted suffered a debilitating stroke while flying to China while flying to China in 2012 and was being cared for in the United States until recently.
He’s now in a nursing home in Sydney and has been relying on his daughter Tatyanna and a group of friends to assist him in being cared for.
In spite of his generosity and contribution for so many causes, Ted is in very straitened circumstances and the future provision of the care and facilities he needs is in serious doubt.
It was for this very reason the Australian tourism and hospitality industry, with the support of many other friends and colleagues, organised a major fundraising dinner to provide for Ted’s future care and to reduce the burden on his daughter and the generous friends who are currently providing much needed support.
The evening, which attracted 260 guests and emceed by Daryl Somers, was also a tribute to Ted’s significant contribution to the tourism and hospitality industry and the wider community.
One of the organisers, Stephen Lewis, who succeed Ted as General Manager of Four Seasons Sydney from 2005 to 2011, said the support from the support from the industry was “incredible”.
“The event was such a joy [to put on] and everything exceeded our expectations,” he told HM.
“All of the legends of the industry were there and it looks like we raised just on AUD$100,000,” he said.
Ted’s daughter Tatyanna, who delivered an inspiring speech on the night, said the night was “really lovely”.
“It was a warm heartfelt evening with lots of generosity and love,” she told HM.
All of the auction prizes, which had a value of over $70,000, were sold on the night and a foundation has been established to manage all funds generated through this initiative.
Support for the night came from the AAoA, AHA, ATEC, Business Events Sydney, Restaurant and Catering, SKAL, the Sport and Tourism Youth Foundation, TAA, the Tourism Industry Council of NSW, Tourism Training Australia and TTF Australia.