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. 

To be an U.G.L.Y. Bartender is a beautiful thing – U.G.L.Y. stands for Understanding, Generous, Likeable You, and participants will demonstrate this by holding creative, quirky and compassionate community fundraising events in venues across the nation.  

Nearly 10,000 bartenders have nominated themselves to be U.G.L.Y. in their venue since the campaign was launched.

These big-hearted bartenders and their generous patrons have collectively raised nearly $12 million over the past decade. The UGLY Bartender of the year campaign is now recognised as the largest fundraiser in the Australian hospitality industry.  

From quiz nights, live entertainment to family BBQ’s and more, U.G.L.Y. Bartenders will 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. Sadly, many of these people will need to leave their homes, jobs and local community immediately and relocate to access treatment.” Petch said. 

“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,” he added. 

On average, each bartender participating raises just over $1,250 equating to two weeks accommodation for a family fighting blood cancer to help relieve their financial burden. The Australian public is urged to support their local U.G.L.Y. Bartenders as they host community events and fundraisers in their local venues in 2018. 

The official 2018 competition dates are October 1 to November 13, 2018  

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 $3000 Flight Centre gift card, Hoshizaki Ice Machine, or Lancer Beverage System products and services, to the value of $7500 and an U.G.L.Y. winner’s trophy.

Find out more and register at uglybartender.org.au.