At about the same time he started thinking about how to celebrate his approaching 40th birthday, Ingleburn father of two Bee Ryan became conscious of the devastating impact cancer was having in his circle of friends.
“I had a friend diagnosed with tongue cancer, then literally two days later found out from one of my mates that his wife also had tongue cancer,’’ he explains.
“Then I was told another mate’s wife had stage four cancer while my best man’s daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
“On top of that five children in our circle of family and friends are in the autism spectrum, so it all kind of hit at one point in time,’’ Bee says.
For his wife Serena’s 40th birthday they had a lovely day at the races followed by dinner, and Bee says he was thinking along the same lines.
But suddenly it dawned on him that he could have a fun day and make a difference in the lives of the people that mattered to him – his mates and their families being helped by organisations such as the Cancer Council, Diabetes Australia and Autism Spectrum.
Bee Ryan’s Golf Cause was born and on Friday, September 29, he and his mates from St Greg’s – there’s a close knit group of around a dozen – will jump on carts at Macquarie Links Golf Club for 18 holes of golf fun and to raise money for the three charity organisations.
Bee says the original plan was for the day to be just for him and his close mates but now it has been opened up to anyone who wants to have a day out for a good cause.
“This is not about me turning 40, it’s about helping the people around me that have been a part of and contributed to the last 40 years of my life in one way or another,’’ he says.
Bee Ryan was born in Liverpool but grew up in Minto, “when it was farming land ‘’ where his parents spent 40 years of their lives.
The father of two children aged five and three attended St John’s Primary before going to St Gregory’s College for high school.
St Greg’s is where most of his mates are from and they still keep in touch quite regularly.
“We’re quite lucky, we still hang out, we chat, we do things, post big nights on social media,’’ Bee says.
“And I guess been the father of two young kids now, and all my mates in the same boat, I thought these days you spend $200 and not even on a big night – just a decent night, a feed and a few drinks
“So, the idea was, guys, why don’t we spend less than that, have a fun day, it’s not about drinking, and give some money to the organisations that help these families struck by cancer or whatever.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Imagine if everyone in Australia had their 40th birthday and each one gave these charities a couple of hundred bucks. It would make such a difference.[/social_quote]
“So I am saying to everyone, even if you don’t play golf, just come out for the day, just walk around, do something, just come for lunch.
“That will only cost them $50, which includes lunch and a $20 donation.
“Or pay $160 for the whole day (which includes $50 donation), which is probably less than a night out these days.’’
Local businesses have come on board with prizes, including Warren Morrison from The Sleeping Giant and the owners of Ultimate Karting Sydney in Smeaton Grange, who are friends of Bee’s.
“I was stoked when Warren Morrison called to say he would support the day,’’ Bee says.
Also on board now is the South West Voice, which is offering a three month advertising campaign valued at $600 as one of the prizes for the day.
If any business wants to help Bee raise funds for three great charities, visit his Facebook here.
SNAPSHOT
WHAT Fundraising @ Forty Golf Cause
WHEN Friday, September 29
SCHEDULE 6:45am breakfast, 7:20am golf briefing, 7:30am tee off, 12:30pm lunch
WHERE Macquarie Links Golf Club
ENTRIES CLOSE Friday, September 22
Great story Bee. Good luck for the day.
I’m in awe. It will be a great day.