Preston Hedges with sisters Maddison and Mackenzie
Camera IconPreston Hedges with sisters Maddison and Mackenzie Credit: Supplied/Supplied

TAG Finance raising money for HeartKids and Nakuru Hope at this year’s 1 Percent Lunch

Denise S. CahillSouthern Gazette

THE TAG Finance team has raised more than $250,000 for 10 charities over the past decade at its annual 1 Percent Lunch and this year’s event will raise money for HeartKids and Nakuru Hope.

Director Andrew Browne said the concept started 10 years ago when the market was “booming”.

“I was surrounded by lots of financial planners and people who took it all for granted,” Mr Browne said.

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“So we took a group of 10 people from the finance industry to Cambodia to build basic housing.”

Mr Browne said that on returning, he spoke to 1000 people about starting an annual fundraising lunch; 100 committed and 10 attended leading to the title ‘One Percent Lunch’.

He said Nakuru Hope – a not-for-profit founded by South Fremantle resident Susan Saleeba that provides education, housing and medical support to families in the slums of Nakuru, Kenya – had been a beneficiary several times because “every dollar goes to the cause”.

The story of the Hedges family who have two children with heart problems inspired TAG Finance to also support the Nedlands-based charity this year.

Sam and Bree Hedges’ second child Mackenzie, who is now eight, was diagnosed with mild aortic stenosis at two months old and while her condition is mild, it will eventually require open heart surgery.

Preston in hospital after one of his operations
Camera IconPreston in hospital after one of his operations Credit: Supplied/Supplied

The Hedges family sought support from HeartKids after their third child Preston, now seven, had the first of 13 operations when he was just days old.

Mrs Hedges said the organisation provided invaluable support from a shoulder to cry on to assisting with arranging government support.

Preston may require another major surgery but that will depend on his body and how he copes over the next few years.

WHAT: 1 Percent Lunch with Rex Hunt

WHEN: Friday, August 31 from 12.15-4.15pm

WHERE: South of Perth Yacht Club

TICKETS : $165 each. Email andrew@taggroup.com.au