The 2025 Corporate Clash in Macarthur returns to the Cube this Saturday, August 2. An incredibly successful fundraising concept started by two locals, Mark Scarce and the late Grant Butterfield in 2014, the event is all about coming together to learn, understand and support the life challenges of those in most need.
It helps to raise awareness and much-needed funds for carefully selected charities, organisations and individuals.
This year’s main event beneficiary is Rare Cancers Australia (RCA), who help provide support to the estimated 40,000 Australians diagnosed with rare and less common cancers.
“A considerable portion of the money raised goes directly towards providing specially made support packs to all of RCA’s patients, that’s more than 2,000 each year,’’ says John McDonald, Clash organiser and head boxing coach.
“These support packs help to bring joy to people going through one of the hardest chapters of their lives, and I’m proud to say we’ve already raised over $110,000 with more to hopefully come on the night,” says
“This event has been running since 2014, and in that time, we’ve raised over $1 million to support the several charities selected.
“It was started by Mark Scarce and Grant Butterfield in honour of their late friend, Sean O’Neill, who passed away from a rare cancer. Sadly, years later in 2020, Grant himself also passed away from a rare cancer, so this event is tied closely to the cause and is in their memory.’’
Local real estate agent, Shannon Vamvoukis, 42, is fighting on behalf of his workplace, First National Collective Real Estate in Narellan, and in memory of his late mother Jannice who died from cancer.
“Not only is this out of my comfort zone and something I’m super excited to do, but in 2005 I lost my mum to cancer and my family and I experienced a time in our lives where we didn’t have the support that we needed, the understanding, and someone with the knowledge to help us through what was a super difficult time,” he says on the eve of the big night.
“Rare Cancers Australia fill that spot and it’s good to see families get the support they need, both mentally and physically. So, I’m very proud to be fighting and raising money for such a fantastic cause that is changing the space for cancer patients and their families.’’
Fellow boxer and local resident, Alicia Ballesty, 39, is fighting on behalf of her workplace, Rare Cancers Australia, with an aim to shine a spotlight on these lesser-known cancers.
“People diagnosed with rare and less common cancers often have more challenges in their experience than those with common cancers, and there’s a general lack of awareness and information of this in the public,” she says.
“I’ve attended the Corporate Clash before as a guest on behalf of RCA, and I witnessed how amazing the event is, the experience the boxers have, the connection to the cause and the impact that it has.
“This year, I didn’t want to be a guest sitting at the table, I wanted to be in the ring fighting and raising awareness for those who are fighting their own cancer battles every day.”