Macquarie Group’s Real Estate business has dug deep and come on board as major sponsor of the 2008 KAYAK FOR KIDS event taking place on Sydney Harbour.

And what an event it’s shaping up to be, with hundreds of boats expected to take to the water and paddle from picturesque Manly Cove across our stunning Harbour to Blues Point on Sunday 30^th March.

The event hopes to raise in excess of $100,000 of funding for much needed ongoing therapy sessions for the rapidly increasing numbers of children living with Autism and developmental delays in the Sydney region. Statistics show that the number of children with special needs (such as Autism) to be as high as women with breast cancer, which is why services such as Lifestart are so essential.

Chris Breach, Managing Director, Macquarie Asset Services Limited said, “Having kayaked around Sydney Harbour for some years I was extremely pleased that an activity such as this can assist Lifestart in its fundraising aspirations and delighted that Macquarie Real Estate has been able to sponsor such a deserving organisation.”

Macquarie Real Estate will be proudly represented by a team on the day, and challenges other leading banks and companies in Sydney to join them on this very special event to help our children.

“The Macquarie Group sponsorship is an outstanding start to our fundraising, and really secures our ability to make the event happen,” said Katinga Schroeder Marketing Manager for Lifestart NSW, “Now all we need is more teams registered to participate in the fun,” she added.

Well known Australian sportsman and avid fundraiser Guy Leech will be participating and said “It’s a great course and very popular with paddlers because you can challenge yourself as an elite entrant and have loads of fun as a novice.”

Entry is open to teams or individuals who can do one or all of the stages which takes you from the famous Manly Harbour Beach, under the Harbour Bridge and finishing at Blues Point Reserve for the prize ceremony, where family entertainment and a barbeque will conclude the day.

A GREAT DAY FOR YOU…. A BETTER LIFETIME FOR THE KIDS

Kayak for Kids is supported by the Mosman, Manly and North Sydney Councils and is managed professionally by the AROC Sport team. Fundraising is easy through Everyday Hero.

Visit www.kayakforkids.com.au for entry and event details.

You can support those competing in the Lifestart Kayak for Kids event on Sunday 30th March. If you can’t personally be there to kayak from Manly to Blues Point you can still show your support by sponsoring one of our heroes.

Just go to Everyday Hero and choose a team or individual to support. Remember, a few dollars from you can make a lifetime of difference for the kids.

The children and families of Lifestart say thank you.

For all you mad keen golfers and those who love a social round, Lifestart is holding it’s first golf day for 2008 at Barnwell Park Golf Club in Five Dock. This is a 9 hole competition in a casual atmosphere and will be held on Sunday 9th March.

For details and registration please click here.

The Lifestart Kayak for Kids event needs 36 volunteers! Sunday 30th March 2008 at Manly, Blues Point and the Transistion Areas in between. From 6am to 5pm. If you can spare an hour or a whole day we can keep you busy.

Click here to see the schedule of the day, then please send an email to info@lifestart.org.au with your name, contact details and time/s you are available. Please state any preferences you have for your volunteer role.

We will contact you a couple of weeks prior to the event to confirm all details.

The children and families of Lifestart thank you for your time and support!