THEY could have abandoned the cause years ago but chose not to.
Instead, this group of altruistic professionals have toiled on for the simple joy they draw from helping a group of disadvantaged children.
Friends of Hilton is what they call themselves. They are the result of the Leadership Fiji 2005 program.
What started as a means to complete the program, is today a journey of personal conviction for the graduands.
Their effort is aimed at raising much-needed funds for the Hilton Hostel which billets several children with disability, including a young blind boy, a teenager and a young woman who are confined to their beds because they have cerebral palsy.
Following past years' success, the group has continued to host Fiji's Greatest Charity Golf Challenge together with the National Golf Association of Fiji.
The proceeds are injected into the management and development of the hostel and other projects of the Hilton Special School.
The funds raised are also used to fund the CAL training program (Competency-based training, assessment and consultation, local community solutions) -- an early intervention program for teachers, caregivers and families of children with cerebral palsy -- a condition that permanently impedes the development of movement.
"Those in the hostel benefit with the training provided to the caregivers," said Friends of Hilton's Sharyne Fong.
She said the group considered little successes such as that of nine-year-old Joshua McDonald, who could not sit up because of his condition, as worthy of their effort.
In Joshua's case, he found it difficult to sit upright because of his enlarged head. The hostel's caregivers provided proper massage and physio, and he has shown marked improvement compared to when he first arrived.
"Joshua can now sit up and hold his head up for a while," she said.
"This is the difference our program and the awareness we are creating has on people with disability. Mothers of children born with disability will know how to care and raise their children so they are not badly deformed when they are older."
She said the funds raised were spread across Fiji to assist in the implementation of the CAL training program. Since 2006, the CAL program has provided more than 450 children and adults an individual appointment, 29 children and adults have received specially-fitted wheelchairs and other equipment and trained 28 people as community disability workers.
"We (Friends of Hilton) also have in the past supported the Hilton Special School through a working bee where we help assemble wheelchairs and other mobility equipment and distribute them to the children and families of children with disability, Ms Fong said.
She said support was provided by volunteering on the board and utilising the wide network available to assist in achieving their projects.
"Our vision is to see that the disabled children of our beloved country receive proper attention, care and education to enable them to reach their full potential and achieve their dreams and goals," said Ms Fong.
This year's charity golf challenge will be held tomorrow at the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club in Nadi.
