‘Coates Climbers’ Endure Balmoral Burn to Raise Funds for Sick Kids

Scaling Sydney’s steepest street takes grit and determination, but for the ‘Coates Climbers’, the annual Balmoral Burn is more than just a physical challenge. It’s about making a difference in the lives of sick children across Australia.

Coates employees joined more than 2,000 participants, including families, students and other corporate teams, at this year’s 420-metre fun run up Mosman’s infamous Awaba Street to raise funds for the Humpty Dumpty Foundation. Held each May, the Burn has been raising money for vital medical equipment for sick and injured children in hospital for 24 years.

“As a proud partner of Humpty Dumpty, Coates has supported the Balmoral Burn since it began, donating event hire equipment and direct funding for life-saving medical equipment in locations across Australia, where Coates branches exist,” said Coates CEO Murray Vitlich.

Coates entered a larger than ever team this year and donated over $75,000 worth of hire equipment, including generators, power distribution and cabling, crowd control barriers and forklifts for the event. Through the Coates Foundation, the company donated a further $25,000 to fund children’s medical equipment, including humidifiers, resuscitators, and a pulse oximeter with neonatal sensor, to hospitals in NSW, Victoria, WA, SA, NT and Queensland’s Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Humpty Dumpty Foundation CEO and Managing Director, Claire Reaney, said Coates is a key event delivery partner of the annual Burn.

“We value our long-standing partnership with Coates, who provide the temporary equipment we need to successfully deliver a fun and safe event each year. Their support towards purchasing paediatric medical equipment allows us to create life-changing outcomes for children in hospitals,” said Reaney.

The Humpty Dumpty Foundation is just one of the Coates Foundation’s national charity partners, alongside TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter) and Mission Australia. Nationally, the Coates Foundation supports R U OK? while at a regional Business Unit (BU) level it supports the Seven Telethon (West BU), TradeMutt (North BU) and Foodbank (South BU).

Earlier this year, Coates also renewed its partnership with the Clontarf Foundation for another three years. The partnership supports more than 11,500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at 150 Clontarf academies across Australia.

“Since the Coates Foundation was established in 2021, Coates has raised more than $1.5 million for those in need,” said Vitlich. “Our commitment extends beyond monetary contributions. Our people actively volunteer their time and skills to support our charity partners and community organisations, embodying our dedication to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.”