Sizzling superstars raise $250,000 selling sausages
George and Anna Kokkinos were inspired by the treatment and care received by their son at The Alfred after a life-threatening incident. Their simple idea led to a phenomenal fundraising effort, donating more than $250,000.
George and Anna Kokkinos are, quite simply, amazing. In March 2008, George and his wife Anna made their first donation of $47.05 to The Alfred Foundation. They were inspired to do so by the treatment and care received by their son at The Alfred after a life-threatening accident.
George was determined to give back and hit upon the idea of becoming a mobile sausage sizzler. Who would have thought that this simple but inspired idea would eventually raise a whopping $251,207.05 for The Alfred?
Over the course of more than eight years, George and Anna braved the elements day-in, day-out. Locals recall seeing them throughout the peninsula, south of Melbourne, outside busy supermarkets or in shopping precincts, working hard on a portable barbecue to sell sausages and hot dogs to raise money for The Alfred.
On inclement days, he and Anna would still head out with their tins, collecting money for the hospital. It wasn’t unusual for George and Anna to put in long hours for six days a week – all unpaid and from the goodness of their hearts.
After years of tireless fundraising with incredible results, George and Anna have officially hung up their tongs and tins.
“We were happy to do it,” George said. “The hospital is very good and helps many people.”
We’d like to thank George and Anna, on behalf of everyone at The Alfred Foundation, for your tremendous support. Your fundraising efforts have undoubtedly helped save and improve the lives of many patients at The Alfred.
