Jakob’s Day Fundraiser

Kosdown are proud to be long time supporters of Jakob’s Day, and this year we were even prouder to step up as the major sponsor. The Jakob’s Day team have raised nearly $750,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal over 16 years of holding events, and we couldn’t be more stoked to be a part of that and support the day!

The Jakob’s Day Charity Golf Day is all about having fun and a few laughs for a good cause. The genesis of the day was Lou and Anna’s family’s desire to honour their son Jakob’s memory, who tragically passed away in 2000 at the age of nine months after a short illness. It’s goal is to do so by supporting the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, and is now in its 16th year. The initial idea was born over a few beers at the St Andrews Hotel in Fitzroy way back in July 2005. A plan was written on a serviette to make it big, to make it something people could relate to, and to make it something people want to be a part of! It has achieved all of that and more.

Kosdown’s support, and the generous support of all those who contribute builds on the success of the events and helps grow the amazing results achieved together over the years. As a family Lou, Anna and their two kids want people to leave the events with a sense of connectedness and pride in what they help achieve through supporting Jakob’s Day.

Kosdown director Derek Downie first met Jakob’s dad Lou through creative agency Rhubarb, who support Jakob’s day by designing the event programs. As Kosdown had already donated printing services for many years of past events, Derek thought it was the right time to step up as the major sponsor “We just wanted to help as much as we could and being the Major sponsor was a good way to do this. We’re a family business so we know how important family is, we align well with the event”

Some Facts:

• Jakob’s Day began in 2006
• Since beginning Jakob’s Day has donated over $740,000 to the Good Friday Appeal
• Jakob’s Day has been one of the biggest non-corporate organised fundraisers for the Good Friday Appeal over the past 16 years
• Jakob’s Day per head is one of the top grossing fundraising events
• Jakob’s day in 2018 contributed $1 dollar for every $168 donated to the entire appeal
• Since the GFA appeal began in 1931 it has raised over $363 million dollars making it the largest hospital fundraising event in Australia

Jakob’s story:

Jakob Luka Glavan was born on the 20th December 1999. His parents were very excited with their special Christmas gift! Like all new parents, they had dreams & hopes for their first child and were excited for their new life together as a family. Sadly, all those hopes and dreams were shattered on September 25th, 2000 at 6.15 pm when Jakob passed away after a short illness at the age of 9 months. Jakob was born with a rare metabolic condition affecting his Urea Cycle and despite the efforts of some of the world’s best medical staff, and the attendance of Dr Steven Kahler the pre-eminent specialist in the field of metabolic syndromes, he passed away at the Royal Children’s Hospital. He left peacefully, leaving behind cherished memories of his brief time with us.

Jakob’s passing left a void which his family can never fill. His passing is something they have accepted and cope with as everyone who loses a loved one does. As Lou and Anna say, creating Jakob’s Day has allowed them to add meaning to his short life. It gives them the courage as a family to speak publicly about their son and the events, and they hope this may help other families in their darkest hour.

The last thing the family did with Jakob was make prints of his hands, he breathed his last breath as they took his hand off the paper, that paper print was his wave goodbye and it is now part of the event logo.

Jakob’s last days were spent in the R.C.H where he received the best possible care. The family want to support the dedication shown by all those who work at the hospital and provide such a valuable service for our community. Jakob’s Day has achieved some truly amazing things, the amounts raised are staggering for a non-corporate fundraiser. It is humbling that Jakob’s story has been the source of inspiration to bring together such a diverse and generous group of people, who in coming together make a huge difference, and Kosdown are massively proud to be a part of it.

Check out the Jakobs day FaceBook pg: https://www.facebook.com/Jakobs-Day-678093015626802