On the 12th November 2016, Beishan Theatre hosted the 5th ‘Come Together’ Event run by a collaborative effort of organisers and many volunteers, the event was a great success bringing together over 1,400 people to enjoy great quality food and music. The event in its 5th year was put together by the CT community and its partners with the intention to raise money for local charities who can really make a difference to local causes. The founders of CTC have collectively lived in Zhuhai for over 40 years and its this reason they set up the ‘Come Together’ event to give back to the community, they wanted to hold a great event keeping it 100% transparent, and completely legal in raising and spending proceeds. The main purpose of CTC is to really support the community and to fundraise for local charities that help local causes in Zhuhai.
The event brought together expats, foreigners and locals to really enjoy a night that was worth so much more than any other, through generous donations people rallied behind a cause that gives to a community that has accepted so many. Collaborating with charity CPAZ, (Charity Promotion Association of Zhuhai) which is also an open and candid organisation promoting public welfare, meant it was a perfect choice to be partnered with CTC. CPAZ is involved with a wide range of humanitarian projects, they also organise events, provide logistical and financial support and a scope of other activities, it was this transparency and local support that made CTC want to join with this particular charity.
CTC working under a strict transparent operation collected the money from the event and it was then counted under supervision from the charity CPAZ, CTC members, and also the bank manager from Huarun Bank, with staff from C2W (China 2 West) also assisting. The team remaining consistently vigilant counted many times over to ensure the correct amounts were listed, after the final tally the outcome was one of great delight, the total raised came to RMB 336,235.32 which is up from the previous years total of RMB 300,000. In a day full of emotion from joy to sadness, the organisers along with CPAZ went to visit one of the schools that many of the children in receipt of the donations attend. The school full of bright and beaming students, sat as they listened to the heads of CPAZ and CTC ‘Chen Ying’ and ‘Mark Clayton’, talk about the involvement of the two charities and what it is they do for people like them. After visiting a few of the homes of the children, it is really outlined the impact of events like ‘Come Together’, and you can see exactly where that money is going directly rather than through a bunch of various channels. It allows these children access to the education they rightfully deserve, helping them with things like transport and daily meals, and providing support for families in very difficult circumstances.
All money donated is strictly documented and outlined from which sources it originated, CTC and its partners have compiled a thorough list of all the accounting and published it on the CTC website, with emails provided for any further questions. They have their accounts audited by external auditors annually, and none of the organisers take any fees or wages, all time and resources are given freely.
