Senior executives across Sydney’s property industry joined forces over the weekend, raising $150,000 for key dementia research at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), UNSW Sydney.
The eighth edition of the Wipeout Dementia surfing event took place at Bondi Beach with participants and spectators supporting The Dementia Momentum initiative at CHeBA, highlighting the global, social, and economic impact of dementia.
“Dementia is now estimated to cost Australia more than $15 billion annually,” Wipeout Dementia ambassador and spokesman for The Dementia Momentum Richard Grellman said.
“By 2056 the total cost of dementia is predicted to increase to more than $36.8 billion in today’s dollars.”
“Clearly we need a colossal increase in funding to support key research to alter the course of dementia forecasts.”
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Competition entrants hailed from many organisations across the property industry including Colliers International, Aoyuan International, Lendlease, The GPT Group, Ray White Commercial, State Property, m3property, Sense Projects, AMP Australia and Shape Australia.
A number of the surfers who participated in the event have family members with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
1978 World Surfing Champion, Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew, who has competed in all eight Wipeout Dementia events in his Ambassador role for the cause, congratulated the property industry on its combined effort.
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“Currently more than 52 per cent of permanent residents in Australian aged care facilities have dementia.”
--CHeBA’s co-director Henry Brodaty said.
Reigning champions ‘Cliff’s Carvers’ took back-to-back titles, winning the 2018 competition.
Captain Craig Rodgers of Charter Hall said it was a privilege to be involved as a surfer and he urged more of the property industry to get on board and thanked his team for their efforts.
The Gerry Lopez ‘Gnarly Award’ for the highest fundraiser was taken by Steve Watson, Captain of Watto’s Wavehunters and Managing Director of Steve Watson & Partners, who raised over $14,000 for CHeBA.
Watto’s Wavehunters were also the highest fundraising team, raising more than $55,000 for the cause.
To further support CHeBA, please click the following link with donations possible for the next two weeks.
Sponsors of this year's event included Morgans, Kennards Hire, Colliers International Residential, Ray White Commercial, and Aoyuan International.
