This year, O’Hara Group’s twelve venues from across Sydney, Port Stephens and Illawarra got behind STEPtember – a workplace fitness challenge created by Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
Despite it being their first time competing in this challenge, the group placed in the top twenty highest fundraisers with an astounding $38,803 drummed up for the cause, earning them the number one spot for both fundraising and steps in the ‘Hospitality & Tourism’ category.
Group principal Dan O’Hara pledged to match up to $500 for each team’s highest fundraiser, adding a further $5,452 to the $38,803 raised.
The Group collectively walked over sixty million steps – more than what it would take to walk the circumference of Earth.
With an initial goal of $10K employees across all areas – from chefs to office staff – joined in the month-long initiative. There were in-house competitions, encouragement of customers to donate both through social media and at point of sale, and other activities created to keep the momentum going.
O’Hara Group recently announced its individual and team winners, with Warilla Hotel’s Allan Pillon in the lead – striding over 1.3 million steps.
He wasn’t alone, with two other staff members raking in over a million steps each, followed by a further two employees in the 800,000s.
The Station Hotel’s team ‘Choo Choo Crew’ took out internal honours for the team with the most steps, winning themselves $500.
Proud of all team achievements, group GM Andrew Glaister said the staff were always ready for a challenge due to their passion and energy, with STEPtember a perfect fit.
“It’s about more than steps; it’s about using our platform and people power to make an impact,” he said.
Founded in 1999, the family-run O’Hara Group holds dozens of hotel assets, predominantly in Sydney and regional NSW, with a few partnerships in the Sunshine State.
Steptember is the leading virtual health and wellness fundraising challenge in Australia, raising funds and awareness for those living with cerebral palsy.
