Benji Marshall’s incredible decision for Celebrity Apprentice prize money
After being crowned the winner of Celebrity Apprentice for 2022, Benji Mashall has revealed the extraordinary way he plans to spend his prize money.
The former football star won after raising $387,105 ($NZD 426,230) in the grand finale - and receiving another $100,000 from Lord Alan Sugar - making for a total of $504,000 ($NZD 554,000) raised for his chosen charity, Souths Cares.
But, in an interview with KIIS FM’s Will and Woody show, it was revealed he called the radio hosts - and castmates on the show - shortly after the finale to thank them, though the scene never made it to air.
“Something the TV show didn’t show was that Benji called me after the finale - cause I did go back to help him with the final challenge - to thank me for getting so involved in the finale,” Woody Whitelaw explained.
“He’s taken $30,000 ($NZD 33,000) out of the money he made, and he’s putting $30,000 in Gotcha4Life.”
Gotcha4Life, the charity Woody and co-host Will McMahon chose, aims to prevent suicide through programs and social connections.
It was revealed that Marshall also shared the cash with several of his other castmates, with another $30,000 going to Samantha Jade’s charity Cancer Council Australia, $30,000 to Vince Colosimo’s Dementia Australia and $30,000 to Bronte Campbell’s Carers Australia, per news.com.au.
During the interview, it emerged that Marshall, Whitelaw and McMahon being castmates wasn’t the only thing they had in common - they had all picked the same charity to support too.
“Before the show started, Will and I locked in Gotcha4Life as our charity. So all the money we raised was going to go to Gotcha4Lide,” Woody said.
“Benji was late in replying to the email with what charity he wanted to do, and his first pick was Gotcha4Life.
“And Benji, you’ve raised money for an incredible charity in South Cares, and I know that’s really close to your heart … But just to compare for the poor charity of Gotcha4Life, Will and I raised $20,000 and Benji, all up, how much money did you raise?”
“$540,000,” Marshall said laughingly.
Souths Cares is closely affiliated with Marshall’s former club, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and supports disadvantaged and marginalised youth and their families by delivering programs that address people’s education, training, health and employment needs.
Image: @benji6marshall (Instagram)