More than 400 members of the Media Federation of Australia (MFA) NGEN community have come together to raise $37,428 for UnLtd charity partner Bravehearts at the annual NGEN Charity Cup.

The event saw participation from over 400 members of the MFA NGEN community in the 10th annual NGEN Charity Cup Dodgeball Tournament, held across Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. The fundraising efforts involved competing teams of NGENers selling raffle tickets for prizes donated by industry supporters.

The NGEN Charity Cup aims to raise funds for youth charities and provide an opportunity for members of NGEN to come together. The event was financially supported by MFA member agencies in the absence of sponsors. Teams from both media agencies and media owners competed in three categories – Dodgeball Champs, Best Dressed, and Most Money Raised.

The funds raised were distributed across the three cities with Melbourne raising $10,633, Brisbane $5,207, and Sydney $21,588. Bravehearts, founded in 1997, is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. The funds raised can provide 250 counselling sessions, educate over 3,000 children about personal safety, or assist callers who need information and support when navigating child sexual abuse in their family for 37 weeks.

Bravehearts National Partnerships Manager, Kylie Hewitt, said: "Bravehearts are incredibly grateful for the $37,453 raised at the NGEN Dodgeball Charity Cup. This generous contribution will significantly support our efforts to educate, empower and protect Australian children from sexual abuse. With these funds, we can provide 250 counselling sessions, or educate over 3,000 children about personal safety, or assist callers who need information and support when navigating child sexual abuse in their family for 37 weeks! Thank you to the MFA and NGEN, everyone who fundraised, participated and donated; your support makes a real difference."

MFA’s Head of NGEN, Melanie Aslanidis, said: "Once again, NGENers brought enormous enthusiasm and commitment to the task of fundraising for the NGEN Charity Cup, organising raffles, cake sales and office pyjama days, all before even stepping onto the dodgeball courts and putting their bodies on the line. Being able to have a meaningful impact on our chosen charity is incredibly rewarding for NGENers and the NGEN team, and I’m so proud to be supporting Bravehearts to help continue their vital work. A heartfelt thank you to everyone for their amazing efforts."