Sponsor Case Studies
Brendan Dover - The Drain Man
Q. Brendan, can you tell us a bit about The Drain Man?
The Drain Man specialises in drain clearing and relining. We can reline the internal diameter of a drain without digging!
Q. How long have you been working with TLC for kids?
A. A short time – not quite 12 months.
Q. You’ve been somewhat creative about how you’ve contributed to TLC for kids, can you tell us some of the ways you’ve helped out?
A. We have raised money at our trade show stands via collection tins, we have distributed information (postcards) at the trade shows eg Herald Sun Home Show. TLC logo has been given positioning on all our vehicles via signwriting, the TLC logo is on our website with a link to the TLC website, We are collecting money if our customers wish to donate we are actively seeking additional companies to support TLC, we are currently making Splidge and Splodge character suit to be worn at events. We have done very little in comparison to what needs to be but time is the one handbrake.
Q. What would you suggest to a company that is considering getting involved, but wants to get to know the charity and make their own judgement.
A. Get to the Ball – if you are not blown away then I will pay for your tickets. Go and meet the crew at TLC. Ring me. Go to a hospital and ask about TLC – the kids will tell you. Look at the smiles that TLC put on their faces.
If you can’t find a way to help these kids then I suggest you go to see a doctor – Is your heart still beating? The Kids are not ones that have fallen on the wrong side of the ledger by choice – they are doing it tough in hospital and there are unlimited numbers of them that need help – and all it is – is to put a smile on their faces. It does not have to cost you anything – maybe some time. There are a million ways to help and the more creative you are with the way that you help the bigger the smile on the face of the kid – so do you really have a choice? If you are not already supporting a charity then there are no excuses. JUMP ON BOARD AND PUT A SMILE ON A SICK KID’S FACE – You might even get a chance to smile too.
Val Harding, Director - International Interior Images
Q. Tell us about International Interior Images
A. Our company supplies a variety of international brands and customised hotel guest amenities to the luxury hotel and resort sector in Australia and New Zealand. Our Australian–made hotel amenity collection, “Serendipity” is also being promoted for export to hotels and resorts overseas.
Q. In what ways have you chosen to support TLC for kids?
A. In 2006, I was honoured to be invited to become a Board Member for TLC for kids, which has now become our Company’s primary charity to support wherever possible. We have sponsored and supported a variety of functions and of course the amazing annual TLC Ball, provided toiletries for Parent’s care packs and changed to electronic Christmas cards to enable the cost saved from sending paper cards to be donated to TLC. The TLC for kids logo is proudly displayed on our website, reaching a wide audience in the international hotel industry. We have also created a new range of hotel amenities, “All about Me’, enabling us to facilitate a 1 cent donation to TLC for kids for every tube sold – this is a simple but effective initiative and could be replicated by many other companies involved in high volume sales of individual products or services, as it not only provides financial support to the charity, but also promotes TLC for kids to a wider audience – in this case every guest staying at hotels using the “All about Me” guest amenities will see the TLC for kids logo on the tubes.
Q. Have there been any surprising benefits to becoming a TLC sponsor?
A. It is immensely rewarding, as the owner of a small private business, to see the success of our Company translated into supporting such an incredibly important charity such as TLC for kids. It has also enabled my team to become involved too, by supporting TLC functions and the annual Ball, which in turn promotes a wonderful sense of fellowship, pride and solidarity within the Company.
Q. If someone were to ask you why they should support TLC for kids, what would your response be?
A. Without doubt, anyone who is able in any way to support Tim Conolan, in his self-less, tireless and inspirational work with his team on behalf of TLC for kids, really should not think twice about becoming involved. You will see life through different eyes and gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the tragic and difficult circumstances ordinary families are quietly dealing with on a day to day basis. Anyone who is a parent understands how precious a child is and it is so important to empathise and support families whose lives have been tragically touched and transformed by the ill health of their children. TLC for kids has created a caring and supportive niche for families, not previously addressed by other charities and it now has an unprecedented record of putting smiles back on sick kids faces, by offering support in so many ways, just when it is most needed. The innovative Distraction Box Programme too is an amazing and proven initiative to reduce stress and suffering by children undergoing a variety of procedures. It is the long term aim of TLC for kids to provide sufficient Distraction Boxes for children in hospitals throughout Australia and beyond in other parts of the world, so don’t think about it – just “do it” – because you really can make a difference right now!
It is so important in life to understand the importance of “giving back” – not for recognition, reward or self-promotion, but because you genuinely and truly care about wanting to make a difference. TLC for kids needs more enthusiastic corporate and individual sponsors and supporters to help realise their dream – and a little help from a lot of people will go a very long way to achieve this.