Hotel investor and philanthropist Dr Jerry Schwartz recently hosted a charity event to mark his official acquisition of the new Four Points by Sheraton Sydney Central Park.

The event supported 19 charities including Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, Greenpeace, McGrath Foundation, Children’s Cancer Institute, Starlight Foundation, UNICEF, Little Wings and Clown Doctors.

Charities were allocated up to 12 rooms each to use for fundraising, with an estimated $350,000 raised as a result of the initiatives.

This was Schwartz’s second hotel opening used to support charities, following the launch of Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour last year.

“There’s no doubt I have been very fortunate being able to build my Sydney hotel network and see them perform so strongly, so my idea was to ‘give back’ to sections of the community who are doing it tough,” he said.

“The charities participating were from all walks of life – medical research, mental health, the environment, homelessness and many others. It was great to be able to share their stories and contribute to their future operations.”

Four Points by Sheraton Sydney Central Park, which soft opened in August, features 297 rooms and 550 square metres of event space.

In attendance at the charity launch was NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall, who thanked Schwartz for his contribution to charity and the hotel sector.

“You stand apart from a lot of hotel developers across our state and our country because you really are genuine about your desire to give something back,” said Marshall.

Tanya Sarina of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation spoke on behalf of the charities, saying Schwartz’s initiative not only raised funds, it helped “shine a spotlight on the need for individuals and companies to support charities and help the most vulnerable in our community”.

“Just using us as an example, your gift alone has helped us raise, or has been involved in helping us raise, more than $250,000,” she said.

“We use these wonderful rooms to recruit amazing fundraisers in our personal challenges including the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival or to provide dedicated community fundraisers that can, to auctions and raffles at very special occasions that are generously supported.”

The hotel’s launch marks the return of the Four Points brand to Sydney.