On one of the most beautiful days of the summer and in one of the National Capital Region’s most stunning venues, the business community came out strong for a day of exceptional golfing, philanthropy and networking, raising more than $322,000 for CHEO.
The 2026 CHEO Charity Classic, presented by RBC, was hosted in luxurious style by The Royal Ottawa Golf Club on July 6, part of the club’s three-year commitment in support of Ottawa’s pediatric health and research centre.
“The Royal Ottawa Golf Club has a long history of charitable support, focused on those organizations in our local community that provide essential services that our members, staff, guests and neighbours rely upon,” said Gregory Richardson, general manager of The Royal Ottawa Golf Club. “Partnering with CHEO, with the incredible work that they do for our next generation, has been a rewarding experience and one that our members are pleased to support. Their team is full of leaders who display generosity and integrity, which assures us that the funds we help them generate are put to the best use possible.”
‘Champions for children’
“Looking around this room, I see community builders, I see business leaders, philanthropists, and above all, champions for children,” said Steve Read, president and CEO of CHEO Foundation, at the event’s end-of-day reception and auction.
He told the participants, donors and sponsors on hand that they were part of a historic transformation for the children, youth and families CHEO serves across Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut.
“The health challenges facing children and youth today are very different from those CHEO was built to address over half a century ago,” Read explained. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand for mental health services, increasing medical complexity, and growing pressure on families.”
To meet those challenges, the ambitious Kids These Days campaign is raising $220 million in support of re-imagining pediatric health care, including seamless care for children with complex needs, new diagnostic tools for children with rare diseases, coordinated mental health services, and modernized emergency care and surgery.
A community hub focused on children’s health and well-being
“I look at CHEO as a community hub,” said Ryan Kelahear of Melicaa Management Consulting, a member of the Kids These Days campaign cabinet. “An event like this brings together so many people across so many industries to once again remind people how important children are in our community. We’re very fortunate to have an organization that is focused on the health and well being of our children, not to mention the research and innovation to help children down the line.”
Eight-year-old Jordan brought the house down with his request for applause for all the work his mom does to make sure he gets the best care. At CHEO, he said, “the doctors are really nice, Zedd the clown is really funny, and also people are just really kind.”
Karl Quinn, vice-president at RBC, said the day offered an opportunity to compete on a very special course and to connect with clients, colleagues and community leaders in support of an essential cause.
“RBC is proud to stand alongside CHEO in their mission to transform pediatric care for the children and youth they serve today and for generations to come,” Quinn said, adding he was already looking forward to October, when RBC Race for the Kids presents another opportunity to get active in support of CHEO.
For Angela Singhal, principal of Richcraft Homes and former CHEO Foundation board member who attended with her sister Monica, the event was a chance to show gratitude for CHEO, the CHEO Research Institute and Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice.
“We’re so proud to support the doctors, nurses, and researchers and all the staff, as well as the families and the kids,” she explained.
A three-year mission to raise $1 million
Since last year’s inaugural CHEO Charity Classic had to be rescheduled due to rain, with The Royal Ottawa Golf Club stepping up to offer a new date, organizers say the gorgeous weather was especially welcome.
Whatever the weather for next year’s event, the excitement is already building to achieve the event’s three-year mission to raise $1 million for the Kids These Days campaign.
“It’s remarkable to see business leaders all out for such an excellent cause,” said J.D. Lees of Lees & Wood Wealth Management at BMO Nesbitt Burns, and a member of both The Royal Ottawa Golf Club and the committee that helps make the event possible. “It was a magical day. Not a cloud in the sky.”
