Media Release from McGuinness McDermott Foundation
Former Executive Chair and founding partner of the McGuinness McDermott Foundation, Tony McGuinness today announced he would relinquish his role on the Board to pursue his interests in the private sector.
Since founding the Charity with Chris McDermott in 1996, Tony has been instrumental in creating a highly regarded and successful organisation that has had a positive and wide-reaching impact on the lives of South Australian Children diagnosed with Cancer and their families.
As past Captains of the Crows, Tony and Chris have evolved the Charity as unique not only for its singular focus on Children but for its grassroots sporting structure, designed to engage and empower sports champions from all codes to take an active role in supporting the Charity.
“I have tendered my resignation as a Director and on the Board of the Foundation. Whilst I do so with sadness, it has been a genuine joy and a delight to see the Foundation grow in status, and grow its revenues to be in a position to increase its distributions to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.” McGuinness said.
He added “Our success over the past fifteen years, plus the tireless dedication of the Board, staff, sponsors and an energetic group of volunteers, has earned recognition amongst Government, health authorities and corporations alike.” Tony said. “In our first years we were excited to raise five hundred thousand dollars; now we distribute around $1.5 million per year. We have recently committed $2.5 million to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital for a new Haematology & Oncology Centre and another $1 million for a new MRI unit.”
There are plans for the Charity to extend its beneficiary support activities beyond Cancer diagnosis to also include children and families surviving Cancer and children with life threatening illness.
“I am stepping down at a time when the Charity is moving into a new era that will see it take on a broader role in Childrens Charity activities and an innovative marketing approach to fundraising, but still retaining its focus on supporting children and families.” Tony said.
Chris McDermott, who took up the Executive Director role in April this year, commented
“So much has been accomplished in fifteen years, we are now perfectly positioned to adopt a fundraising model that builds on our leadership image and delivers a greater benefit to the Children.”
“As a mate of 35 years it is a sad day for us both, as Tony moves on to other fields. However, I am sure he like I remain absolutely committed to the children and families we have been privileged to support and I look forward to continuing what he and I started 15 years ago. The future is very much in my hands now and the team and I relish the opportunity to take the Foundation forward into the future.” said Chris