Not so UGLY

October 13th, 2016

Bartenders across the Adelaide Hills are getting their UGLY on to help raise much needed money and awareness for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Until November 15, bartenders across 15 venues in the Adelaide Hills will proudly sport a T-shirt that reads "I'm UGLY – I need help" as apart of the Leukaemia Foundation fundraiser.

Despite what the T-shirts suggest, there's nothing UGLY about it. UGLY, or "Understandable, Generous, Likeable, You" is an inspiring fundraising campaign to support people with blood cancer and their families.

Every day thirty-five Australians are diagnosed with Leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma.

Every $80 raised by an UGLY bartender event will provide a night's accommodation for affected families.

Now in its 8th the year the UGLY bartender campaign is recognised across the hospitality industry as a pivitol event in supporting the Leukaemia Foundation.

In 2015 over 1,480 bartenders and venues around Australia participated, with an impressive $325,000 raised in South Australia alone, providing 4,100 nights of accommodation.

Manager of the Stirling Hotel Heath Johanson believes the UGLY bartender fundraiser is a great way to get the community together to have a good time whilst raising awareness and money for an important cause.

"We were approached by the organiser of UGLY and thought it would be a fantastic thing to be involved in to help with Leukaemia research," Heath said.

"We try to do a lot of community fund-raising at the Stirling Hotel."

"We're trying to bring awareness of blood cancer for the Leukaemia foundation through UGLY – and just raise as much money as possible to give as much help to an amazing charity as possible."

"Because it's aimed solely at bartenders it's something we can 100 per cent do. We all wanted to give back more to the community and in hospitality we're in a prime position to do so."

Head of fundraising at the Leukaemia Foundation Dave Simms praised the hard work and commitment of local bartenders and venues in supporting the UGLY event.

"The support of SA pubs for UGLY has been phenomenal and has changed the lives of South Australians receiving treatment for blood cancer," Dave said.

"The funds raised allow us to help people at a time when they need it the most, relieving them of a major financial burden by providing them a home that is theirs for as long as they need it."

Richard Rogosic is one of the bartenders at the Stirling hotel getting his UGLY on for the Leukaemia Foundation.

“I used to work at another venue which supported the fundraiser. We thought it would be a great opportunity to bring it to the Adelaide Hills."

"It's such a positive event and a great alternative approach in creating public awareness about blood cancer."

This year the Stirling Hotel will be organising fun and innovative fundraising games and providing food and drinks specials to keep patrons amused.

“All the staff are really excited about UGLY bartender. The responses from the community has also been fantastic," Richard said.

“Stirling is a big part of the Adelaide Hills and the community is generous and always wanting to help any cause."

“Enjoy yourself and ask as many questions as possible. Engage with our staff and get to understand the foundation and our hotel.”

UGLY Bartender events will be held across venues throughout the Adelaide Hills and nearby regions until November 14.

They include Hahndorf Old Mill Hotel, German Arms Hotel, Lobethal Arms Hotel, Mannum Community Club, Gray's Inn, Mount Pleasant Hotel, Richie's Tavern, Swanport Hotel, Murray Bridge Hotel, Stirling Hotel, District Hotel, Victoria Hotel Strathalbyn, Robin Hood Hotel, Woodside Hotel, and Bedford Hotel.

For more information, visit http://www.uglybartender.org.au

  Back