Wish Drive raises $500K for sick kids

Much needed funds raised for Make-A-Wish by Caltex Star Mart

Caltex Australia has announced it raised an impressive half-a-million dollars for children’s charity Make-A-Wish Australia in last November’s annual Star Mart Wish Drive.

Caltex Star Mart customers, suppliers and employees from all around Australia came together for the highly-successful campaign, raising much needed funds to help make the wishes of seriously ill children and teenagers come true.

With the support of celebrity ambassadors such as V8 racing driver Craig Lowndes and media personality ‘Baby’ John Burgess, more than 600 Star Mart stores around Australia united to raise the funds through on-site barbeques, shaking tins, washing windscreens and old-fashioned driveway service.

A cheque for $513,582 has been presented to Make-A-Wish CEO Gerard Menses.

Caltex Australia’s General Manager Consumer Sales, Leo Pucar, praised the generosity of all who contributed to the fundraising effort, which surpassed the incredible results of the 2013 and 2014 Wish Drives.

"The work that Make-A-Wish does is incredibly powerful. We hope the funds raised through the Star Mart Wish Drive go a long way towards giving hope, strength and joy to hundreds of children around Australia when they need it the most," Mr Pucar said.

"As a leading Australian company, we’re proud to support charities like Make-A-Wish and the life-changing work they do."

Mr Menses said Make-A-Wish Australia was thrilled with the outcome of the Wish Drive.

"To raise over half-a-million dollars is a truly incredible effort, and we are sincerely grateful to all of the Caltex Star Mart customers who came out to support the Wish Drive, and also to the staff at those 600 stores who took part," he said.

"As an organisation funded solely by donations, Make-A-Wish relies on the generosity and support of partners like Caltex Australia. These funds will help us make even more life-changing wishes come true for very sick kids and teenagers all over the country.”

Wish Drive raises $500K for sick kids

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