13 Jul Craig Harley Luncheon
For the fourth consecutive year Smart Pups has benefited from the generosity and amazing fundraising skills of Mr Craig Harley. The annual lunch and charity auction organised by Craig has grown every year. This year a record 285 attendees filled the Paddo Pub in Brisbane to enjoy a seafood lunch and listen to guest speakers. This year’s event had an Olympic Legends theme with guest speaker Dawn Fraser. Dawn was delighted to join the lunch as she lives here on the coast and has met up with our Smart Pups having even seen them in action, helping a lad who had a seizure at the beach. Other guest speakers included a very fun-ny comedian. The lunch also helps to raise awareness of autism and the role of assistance dogs. At last year’s event one of our clients, Rebecca, was our surprised guest! Craig asks us to find a deserving client who needs a helping hand with their fundraising and then surprises them with completing their fundraising and presenting them with the pup that Smart Pups will train for their child with special needs. This year Rebecca and son William came back, with their Smart Pup Harley (named in honour of Craig). Everyone was spellbound to see the difference from a shy little boy last year to a young man who gave thanks to everyone himself on the microphone. Mother Rebecca told the story about the time Harley saved their daughters life by alerting to her seizure and the incredible difference Harley has made for their son and family. This year it was another family who were surprised and presented with pup in training Fraser (name after Dawn). Charity auctions round up the afternoon and add to the fund-raising along with cheques from various companies. In total more than $50,000 was raised to help the ongoing program of Smart Pups. Thanks just doesn’t seem enough to everyone involved with this lunch, promoters, speakers, hotel and the donors. Most of all Craig who works tirelessly to ensure the success of this day.
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