Australia's biggest and brightest stars unite to raise funds and awareness for youth cancer patients
It's colloquially known as Sydney's longest lunch, but Sony Foundation Australia's annual Wharf4Ward event is definitely not a simple meal.
Australia's high-profilers – and one global megastar – flocked to Woolloomooloo Wharf on Thursday for an afternoon of food and entertainment.
It also functions as an auction, which this year raised a record-breaking $1.6 million for the foundation's You Can Stay program – that tops last year's efforts by more than $100,000.
Sony Foundation Australia's You Can Stay program provides free, uncapped accommodation to regional youth cancer patients and their families who have to travel to the city to access lifesaving treatment.
Since launching in 2020, Sony Foundation Australia has provided more than 32,000 nights of accommodation for regional youth cancer patients and their families nationally.
Read on to see all the stars who united to support the cause.
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Ronan Keating
Um... is that... global megastar Ronan Keating with whom Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald is speaking?
Why yes, yes it is!
It's not as out of place as it may seem for the Irish singer songwriter to be there – the former Boyzone co-lead, after all, lives in Australia.
He moved here from London to be closer to his wife Storm Uechtritz's family and to enjoy a quieter life.
Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli
Fitzy also posed with his radio co-host Wippa ahead of the event.
Tim Blackwell and Ricki-Lee Coulter
Radio stars Tim Blackwell and Ricki-Lee Coulter also stopped by to have their moment on the blue carpet.
Ricki-Lee Coulter
Coulter had a solo moment too, standing out in her hot pink dress.
Sarah Abo and Karl Stefanovic
Nine's Sarah Abo and Karl Stefanovic made sure to stop by after wrapping up Today that morning.
Mia Hawkswell, Richard Wilkins, Karl Stefanovic, Syliva Jeffreys, Tim Davies and Belinda Russell
A Nine family photo!
Grace Kennedy
Peter Overton spoke with 21-year-old Grace Kennedy from Shellharbour, who received a shock diagnosis of a rare paediatric brain cancer requiring her to relocate to Sydney for more than six months of invasive treatment.
"Luckily someone at Wollongong Hospital knew of a doctor in Sydney that had treated children with this rare cancer," Kennedy said.
"I felt the most secure having all my treatment in Sydney, where there was a team that understood my type of cancer.
"But this meant having to travel more than four hours each day for radiotherapy and being alone in a hospital bed far away from home.
"My family was committed to getting me the best treatment, but the price of petrol alone would be far beyond what we could afford.
"This is when we were told about Sony Foundation's You Can Stay program. We couldn't believe it. A bright light had appeared through all the darkness ahead."
Kennedy has been provided more than 200 nights of free accommodation to date, at no cost to herself or her family, thanks to the You Can Stay program.
"The support of You Can Stay is why I stand before you today. It created a safe and secure environment away from the hospital," she continued.
"It meant my mum was able to be with me each day. Through every needle, infection, and unknown, I had my family and friends close."
Rodger Corser
Doctor Doctor star Rodger Corser also stopped by to show his support
Cam Merchant and Jules Robinson
As did Married At First Sight's Cam Merchant and Jules Robinson.
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