Benji Marshall was crowned the winner of Celebrity Apprentice Australia in Tuesday’s final episode.
The rugby league footballer beat TV presenter Darren McMullen for the prize, $100,000 for his chosen charity.
Benji raised an additional $387,105 through his most recent event, making a total of $487,105 for his charity Souths Cares, a non-profit entity closely associated with South Sydney Rabbitohs Football Club.
Benji Marshall (pictured) was crowned the winner of Celebrity Apprentice Australia in Tuesday’s final episode
“Who would have thought, just a beat-up footy player…winning celebrity apprentice. We raised almost half a million dollars,’ Benji said after his win.
During the episode, the two finalists were tasked with creating an event, and whoever raised the most money would take the crown.
“You were a bit of a character on the show. What was your event?’ asked Lord Sugar Darren.
The rugby league footballer beat TV presenter Darren McMullen (pictured) for the prize, $100,000 for his chosen charity
“In keeping with the charity, I felt it would be good to lean into the overall magical element and host a magical extravaganza on an island, acrobats, magicians, a band playing ethereal and magical music, and celebrity chefs, and people with a lot of money. That was the plan,” Darren replied.
“I hope your magicians were much better than me because I’ve been trying to make you disappear for ages. What happened to your black book now?’ asked Lord Sugar.
“When you host an event of this magnitude you spend so much time stuck in logistics that I couldn’t do it. That’s what I was great at, which is getting black book contacts and raising money,” Darren replied.
“What you did was inspired, this website you made online, right? That was a fantastic idea. And you’ve auctioned off things like trips to Japan, is that correct? And Nick here said you had no shame,” Lord Sugar said of Darren’s event
‘Yes. Ultimately, of course, I’m trying my best, but, um, a lot of calls went unanswered.’
“What you did was inspired, this website you made online, right? That was a fantastic idea. And you’ve auctioned off things like trips to Japan, is that right? And Nick here said you weren’t ashamed,’ Lord Sugar went on.
“You walked around the room and harassed every single person in there. Trying to get something out is that right?’
“You walked around the room and harassed every single person in there. Trying to get something out is that right?’ asked Lord Sugar
“No shame is probably both a blessing and a curse, I think. And, uh, it’s a blessing in a situation like this because we were able to raise something really serious,” Darren said
“No shame is probably both a blessing and a curse, I think. And, uh, it’s a blessing in a situation like this because we were able to raise something really serious,” Darren said.
He then explained why he chose his chosen charity, Feel the Magic, which offers early intervention grief education programs for children ages 7-17.
“Mental health has been a big part of my life. I had friends who died young and left little children. I had my family who lost their parents at an early age and I’ve seen the impact that had on them. Finding her father dead and having to try to revive him.’
‘That was mine, my cousin, you know, my uncle. And he walked the path that a lot of people walk, and that’s substance abuse and mental health issues. And it’s just so important to me. I think we can nip that in the bud early on. And they are the only charity in Australia that cares for grieving children.”
Then Lord Sugar turned his attention to Benji. “Listen, Benji, you came here a year later as an ex-footballer and you’re already in a final again. So the theme of your event was a big dream,” he said
“The reason I love getting involved with this charity is because the kids remind me of me when I was a kid. I feel very connected to them,” Benji replied
Then Lord Sugar turned his attention to Benji.
“Listen, Benji, you came here a year later as an ex-footballer and you’re already in a final again. So the theme of your event was a big dream,” he said.
“The reason I love getting involved with this charity is because the kids remind me of me when I was a kid. I feel very connected to them,” Benji replied.
In the end, the results spoke for themselves as Darren collected $172,617 while Benji collected a whopping $387,105 and won the contest
Lord Sugar stated: “Benji, I am pleased to announce that with the additional $100,000 you are the Celebrity Apprentice winner, you have raised $487,105. That’s a lot of money. Fantastic. well done’
“The biggest thing I wanted to get out of this event was to inspire kids to dream as big as they want. Believe in yourself, work hard and you will be surprised what can happen.”
Judge Janine Allis intervened: “You could see in the children’s eyes that you achieved your goal, that was great.
“But you have three opportunities to raise money. And the first, obviously, was sponsorship. The second was merchandise. The last was the ticket sale and I was so impressed you had thousands of dollars worth of merchandise there. And then you just gave it away.’
The two finalists hugged as the winner was announced
‘To be fair. I probably made a lot of bad business decisions because I could have raised more money, but I could have just missed this opportunity to give stuff to their kids for free,” Benji said.
In the end, the results spoke for themselves as Darren collected $172,617 while Benji collected a whopping $387,105 and won the contest.
Lord Sugar stated: “Benji, I am pleased to announce that with the additional $100,000 you are the Celebrity Apprentice winner, you have raised $487,105. That’s a lot of money. Fantastic. Well done.’
Pictured: Judge Nick Bell, Lord Sugar and Janine Allis