Centennial Parklands has a proud history of hosting charity events that bring communities together for social and fundraising efforts.
Every year , a variety of charities choose Centennial Parklands as their location of choice for fundraising events, with our teams working behind the scenes to ensure these events run smoothly to achieve the most impactful results. These events range from charity walks that support essential community services to runs (including a marathon) that help raise funds for medical research and advocacy for social causes.
Centennial Parklands is proud to have hosted seven great charity events over the last 12 months, helping to raise awareness and a combined total of $2.17 million of critical funds for important causes, including:
Unite for Hope – Sunday 19 May 2024
On 19 May 2024, 225 participants gathered at Centennial Park for the Unite for Hope Awareness Walk, raising a total of $25,751.50 in support of the Pancare Foundation.
This event aimed to raise funds and awareness for Australians affected by pancreatic, liver, stomach, biliary, and oesophageal cancers – some of the most challenging and underfunded forms of cancer. The walk around Centennial Park not only symbolised unity and resilience but also provided a crucial platform for participants to come together in solidarity with patients, caregivers and families.
Pancare Foundation’s mission to support those battling these cancers was at the heart of the event, which emphasised community support and the importance of advocacy in improving outcomes through research and support services.
If you would like to support the cause, visit: https://pancareuniteforhope.com.au/.
Walk for WAGEC – Sunday 5 May 2024
The annual charity walk for the Women’s & Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC) was held at Centennial Park on 5 May 2024. Despite the rainy weather, over 700 dedicated people attended to support women and children escaping domestic violence and homelessness.
WAGEC successfully raised an impressive $437,848 on the day, surpassing their $300,000 target and breaking their previous fundraising record from 2023. The event was attended by federal and state MPs, including Tanya Plibersek, Jodie Harrison, and Mehreen Faruqi, who showed their solidarity and support.
This significant achievement underscores the immense impact of community support for those who need it most. To learn more about WAGEC or to donate, please visit their website: https://www.wagec.org.au/.
Santa Paws – Sunday 26 November 2023
On 26 November 2023, Centennial Parklands hosted Santa Paws – aimed at raising awareness about homeless animals and offering the community a chance to make a difference in the lives of rescue animals.
The inaugural animal advocacy festival drew around 600 people and their furry companions, successfully raising $20,000 towards Animal Rescue's efforts. Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities, including dog shows, sessions with a dog behaviourist and Christmas photos with Santa.
The event not only promoted stronger protections for animals, but also provided opportunities to meet and adopt rescue dogs. Featured on Seven Network’s Weekend Sunrise, Santa Paws received national attention and support from generous businesses and charity organisations.
For more information, please visit: https://santapaws.net.au/.
Sydney Marathon – Sunday 17 November 2023
The NSW State Significant Sydney Marathon attracted 23,500 dedicated runners to Centennial Park on 17 September 2023. These athletes braved the heat in support of the marathon's bid to join the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors, a group that includes the renowned races in Boston, Berlin, Tokyo, London, Chicago, and New York.
Supported by 246 charities, the event raised a massive $1.42 million for its three main partners - Cure Cancer, Dementia Australia, and Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, along with various gold and subsidiary partners.
As the only remaining legacy event of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the Sydney Marathon is now an official candidate for the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
The marathon featured four separate events: the 42.195 km race and the 21.1 km half-marathon through Centennial Park and Moore Park, as well as a 10 km race, and a 3.5 km run. This diverse selection of races welcomed runners of all abilities, contributing to the marathon's success on the day.
For more information on this great event, please visit: https://sydneymarathon.com/
SleepOut 2023 – 16 to 17 November 2023
In Australia, 1 in 3 young people seeking crisis accommodation are turned away due to limited space, affecting their education, career prospects, and overall wellbeing. To help tackle this issue, the Property Industry’s annual Sydney SleepOut for Homeless Youth took place overnight in Centennial Park from 16 to 17 November 2023.
A hundred participants, including friends and colleagues aged 16 and older, spent the night outdoors, participating in various activities and learning about the realities of youth homelessness. The event raised a total of $90,761 to support youth homelessness initiatives, with funds helping with the construction of a 19-bedroom refuge in South Dowling, Sydney, offering a safe space for many young people in need.
The night was described as a night of connection, engagement, fun, and meaningful support for an important cause.
Learn more about this great initiative: https://pif.com.au/
Walk4Brain Cancer – Sunday 5 November 2023
Walk4BrainCancer raises funds for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, an organisation dedicated to improving global brain cancer survival rates. The annual charity walk, held at Centennial Park on 5 November 2023, brought together 150 participants who braved the rain to raise $181,704 for the cause.
This event is part of a larger campaign featuring twenty-one walks across Australia, collectively contributing to a total exceeding $1.2 million for brain cancer research.
Since 2013, Walk4BrainCancer has raised over $30 million in total, with $8 million specifically directed towards projects benefiting children with brain cancer. These funds have fuelled 53 transformative research projects and supported Australia’s top scientists and clinicians. As a result, brain cancer has gained national recognition as a critical health issue.
Learn more and register your interest in the 2024 event and support the brain cancer community's quest for a cure: https://walk4braincancer.com.au/.
VEGRUN – Sunday 6 August 2023
VEGRUN debuted at Centennial Park on 6 August 2023, with over 200 participants donning imaginative vegetable-themed costumes.
The event championed compassionate living and vegetarianism while raising funds to support animals, people, and environmental causes. Together, participants raised $2,000 for the Centennial Parklands Foundation, emphasising their dedication to conservation, nature education, and community wellbeing.
Participants walked or ran a full lap of the Church Grounds on Parkes Drive in Centennial Park, starting near the Randwick gates and could choose between a 2.2km or 3.8km distance. It was a fun day for attendees of all ages, underscoring the collective effort to foster a kinder, more sustainable world.
Moore Park Golf is also a proud partner with the Clontarf Foundation, providing recreation and conferencing opportunities that help support their mission to help young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to attend school, finish Year 12 and enter employment. Visit the Moore Park Golf website to learn more about this great partnership and events held this year.
Keep a look out on What’s On to see what other charity events are happening at Centennial Parklands soon and join a great cause!