Scaling Sydney’s steepest street demands grit and determination, but for the ‘Coates Climbers’, the annual Balmoral Burn is more than a physical challenge – it’s a heartfelt mission to impact the lives of sick children across Australia.
This year, Coates employees joined over 2,000 participants, including families, students and other corporate teams in the 420-metre fun run up Mosman’s infamous Awaba Street to raise funds for the Humpty Dumpty Foundation. Held each May, the Balmoral Burn has been raising money for vital medical equipment for sick and injured children in hospital for 24 years.
“As a proud partner of Humpty Dumpty, Coates has supported the Balmoral Burn since it began, donating event hire equipment and direct funding for life-saving medical equipment in locations across Australia, where Coates branches exist,” said Coates CEO Murray Vitlich.
This year, Coates entered a larger-than-ever team and donated over $75,000 worth of hire equipment, including generators, power distribution and cabling, crowd control barriers and forklifts for the event. Through the Coates Foundation, the company donated an additional $25,000 to fund children’s medical equipment, such as humidifiers, resuscitators and a pulse oximeter with neonatal sensor. These contributions supported hospitals across New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland’s Royal Flying Doctor Service.
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Claire Reaney, CEO and managing director of the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, said Coates is a key event delivery partner of the annual Balmoral Burn.
“We value our long-standing partnership with Coates, who provide the temporary equipment we need to successfully deliver a fun and safe event each year,” said Reaney. “Their support towards purchasing paediatric medical equipment allows us to create life-changing outcomes for children in hospitals.”
The Humpty Dumpty Foundation is one of the Coates Foundation’s national charity partners, alongside TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter) and Mission Australia. Nationally, the Coates Foundation supports R U OK? while at the regional Business Unit (BU) level, it supports the Seven Telethon (West BU), TradeMutt (North BU) and Foodbank (South BU).
Earlier this year, Coates also renewed its partnership with the Clontarf Foundation for another three years. The partnership supports more than 11,500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at 150 Clontarf academies across Australia.
“Since the Coates Foundation was established in 2021, Coates has raised more than $1.5 million for those in need,” said Vitlich. “Our commitment extends beyond monetary contributions.”
“Our people actively volunteer their time and skills to support our charity partners and community organisations, embodying our dedication to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.”