29 January 2020
Swapping hard hats for budgie smugglers this February
The experience of Fugen Constructions is not limited to 26 years in the Australian building market – they also have more than a decade participating in the Cole Classic ocean swim, where they have raised over $250,000 for a wide range of charities.
Motivated by personal stories and life-changing experiences, their fundraising efforts started back in 2009 raising money to support an injured colleague who lost his leg in a car accident. From there, supporting different charities every February has become a part of the company’s culture.
This year they decided to support the work of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) and on February 2, the Team Fugen-Gives-The-Finger-To-Prostate-Cancer will swim from Shelly Beach to Manly raising much needed funds for prostate cancer research.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men, with approximately 20,000 new diagnoses each year. Stephen Flannery, managing director of Fugen Constructions, said that his own experience with prostate cancer influenced their decision to support PCFA.
“This year we entered the Cole Classic swim with the aim of funding research projects at Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. This desire of supporting meaningful projects in our community extends not only to Fugen’s employees, but also to our families, friends and networks,” Mr Flannery said.
“After my operation last November, I’m ready to take the Cole Classic swim with more than 40 enthusiastic participants in our team – many of them are my friends and relatives who have joined me on repeated occasions,” Mr Flannery said.
Professor Jeff Dunn AO, CEO at Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia commended the initiative, saying “The funds raised by Fugen will help us save lives and support men with prostate cancer. Every year 1.3 million men worldwide are diagnosed with prostate cancer.”
“Alarmingly, Australia has one of the highest incidence rates internationally, with 1 in every 6 Australian men likely to be diagnosed during their lifetime. The efforts of the Fugen team in the Manly waters will help us achieve research breakthroughs and provide much-needed support to men affected by prostate cancer,” Professor Dunn said.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is the voice of 211,000 men living with prostate cancer. It promotes and funds world-leading research; offers support through groups and Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses; and provides educational programs for the Australian community and health professionals.
The Fugen team has raised over $35,000 – not far from their $37,500 target. Join them in their amazing effort.
Participants don’t need to be strong swimmers to join the fun as in one of the races they can take along floaties, noodles, flippers and even boogie boards. Register and make a donation https://coleclassic2020.everydayhero.com/au/fugen-gives-the-finger-to-prostate-cancer
