More than 1500 bartenders across the country will be calling themselves U.G.L.Y and all for a good cause, as they join the Leukaemia Foundation’s 10th year of the U.G.L.Y Bartender of the Year competition in 2018.
The U.G.L.Y campaign – which stands for Understanding, Generous, Likeable You – is now recognised as the largest fundraiser in the Australian hospitality industry.
Nearly 10,000 bartenders have nominated themselves to be U.G.L.Y in their venue since the campaign was first launched, collectively raising nearly $12 million in the last decade.
From quiz nights, live entertainment to family BBQ’s and more, U.G.L.Y. Bartenders come up with innovative ways to raise funds and ramp-up the fun-factor in their hotels, bars and clubs, all to support the Leukaemia Foundation’s vital accommodation services.
Leukaemia Foundation CEO Bill Petch said funds raised through the iconic campaign have already helped pay for 150,000 nights of accommodation for people and their families from regional centres forced to relocate to capital cities for life-saving blood cancer treatment.
“Every day 35 people are diagnosed with a blood cancer including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma,” Petch explained. “Sadly, many of these people will need to leave their homes, jobs and local community immediately and relocate to access treatment.
“Bartenders across the country have already signed up to help make this year’s U.G.L.Y. Bartender of the Year, the biggest year yet.”
Participating bartenders have the chance to win prizes and be crowned U.G.L.Y. Bartender of the Year 2018. This year’s prizes per state include a $3,000 Flight Centre gift card, Hoshizaki Ice Machine, or Lancer Beverage System products and services, to the value of $7,500 and an U.G.L.Y. winner’s trophy.
While the official competition concludes today (11 September) in Queensland, all other states kick off on 1 October and run through until 13 November.
If you’d like to find out more or get behind this worthwhile cause, check out uglybartender.org.au.
