When Melbourne couple, Anton and Jenny Gaudry sold their business in 2018, they wanted to give back to the community.
They were inspired by Tristan Miller, author of Run Like Crazy, who wrote about the challenge of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks.
Instead of running, the Gaudrys decided to ‘give like crazy’, visiting and donating $10,000 to 52 charities in the 52 weeks of 2020 under the banner of Give52.
Anton says he and his wife saw an opportunity, not only to give financial support to charities in need, but also inspire other people to think about giving to charity on a regular basis.
‘The aim of Give 52 was to capture people’s imagination – especially the younger generation. Donating the cost of one coffee per week will not make a dent in your budget, but over time it will make a big difference to the charity you support and make your community a better place to live,’ Anton says.
Jenny says that giving regularly, not only helps other people, it’s also incredibly rewarding.
The fun aspect of philanthropy wasn’t something we’d considered so it’s been a pleasant surprise. We’ve met some incredible people, and we get so much joy from seeing the impact of our donations. Jenny Gaudry
The Gaudrys have a strong interest in education and are very appreciative of the medical treatment they and their family have received that just wouldn’t be available without medical research.
Giving to medical research at the Bionics Institute was therefore an easy decision.
Anton says: ‘We love hearing about the incredible research at the Bionics Institute. They’re working on solutions to some of the world’s most challenging conditions, and it’s great to know we’re helping them get new treatments into the clinic to help people with diseases like Alzheimer’s and Crohn’s disease.’
The best outcome for charities like the Bionics Institute is to set up a giving plan – make a regular commitment and feel the joy of regular giving. Anton & Jenny Gaudry