Celebrity Apprentice Australia has reached its conclusion, with ex-NRL star Benji Marshall being crowned the winner after raising $387,105 (plus an extra $100,000 for winning) for his charity, Souths Cares.
TV and radio personality, Darren McMullen was his competitor, raising $172,617.
For the final task, the instructions from Lord Sugar were simple: put together a charity event and raise more money than your competition.
Benji Marshall elected to hold his day out – complete with face painting and a performance from The Wiggles – at Leichhardt Oval, however, there were questions when de insisted on making the event free. Having seen first hand that the kids who benefitted from his charity, Souths Cares, would not be able to afford entry, Marshall instead sought money from sponsorships.
McMullen opted to put on a “magical extravaganza” on Cockatoo Island, complete with high end theatrics and an auction. While a magic show may not be the first thing most people would have thought of, it was in honour of McMullen’s charity, Feel The Magic, which helps kids and teenagers deal with grief. Throughout the season, Darren McMullen raised a record-breaking grand total of more than $552,000 for Feel The Magic.
Benji said: “I’m so happy to have been able to raise such a great amount of money for Souths Cares. It will go a long way to supporting the youth and communities in Redfern and contributing to the outstanding work of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, which is something very close to my heart.
“This has been a life-changing experience, and Darren was a deserving finalist. Becoming very close friends, I’m glad he and I, as well as all the other celebrities, were able to do so much to support our chosen charities.”
To make it to this point, British billionaire and business magnate, Lord Alan Sugar, has worked his way through the 16 celebrities who first graced the boardroom. The entire time, he has been guided by his two business advisors – Boost Juice pioneer and investor Janine Allis, and Australian entrepreneur, Nick Bell.
See More: “What you see is what you get”: Nick Bell on stepping into Celebrity Apprentice
The Celebrity Apprentice 2022 contestants were:
• Author and motivational speaker Turia Pitt
• National hosts of drive radio show, KIIS FM’s Will and Woody
• Dual Olympic gold medallist and world champion swimmer Bronte Campbell
• Logie Award-winning actress and model Jodi Gordon
• Rugby league great and Wests Tigers legend Benji Marshall
• ARIA Award Winning Musician Amy Shark
• Real Housewives of Melbourne star Gamble Breaux
• Married at First Sight’s most controversial bride and socialite Beck Zemek
• Hollywood actor and Australian Film Institute award winner Vince Colosimo
• Winner of X-Factor, ARIA Award winner, and singer-songwriter Samantha Jade
• Queen of Australian comedy, trailblazer, and author Jean Kittson
• Renowned television presenter and actor Darren McMullen
• The face of Givenchy and international supermodel Jarrod Scott
• Secretary to former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and social media sensation Carla from Bankstown
• One of The Block’s most successful All-Stars, renovation expert Ronnie Caceres
• Two-time Australian Ninja Warrior semi-finalist and former international NRL star Eloni Vunakece