Coles has kicked off a major one-month fundraising appeal for seven charities across Australia.
According to the retailer, the appeal will raise much-needed funds for a range of causes including paediatric brain cancer research, helping local schools create healthy kitchen gardens, and giving hope and care to children in local hospitals and hospices.
From Wednesday, 20 September until Tuesday, 17 October, shoppers in all states and territories except Western Australia can purchase $2 donation cards from Coles or donate at the checkout to the nominated charity partner in their state. In WA, donation cards to support Telethon will be available until Sunday, 22 October and Coles will also be selling Fat Cat Dolls until stocks last.
Coles Group General Manager Corporate and Indigenous Affairs Sally Fielke says the appeal is just one way that local stores give back to the communities in which they operate.
“This year’s seven charity partners have each been chosen by our state operations teams and many of our team members and customers have close connections to their causes,” she says.
“Last year, thanks to our incredible team members and customers, our appeal raised more than $2.8 million for these partners and we hope our customers can show their support once again by buying a donation card, making a donation of their choice at the checkout or by supporting one of the many local community activities our team members are coordinating such as quiz nights, community barbeques and bake sales.”
The charity partners
Hummingbird House
Hummingbird House is Queensland’s only children’s hospice and is promoted as a home away from home for babies, children and young people living with life-limiting conditions.
This year marks Coles’ 10th year in partnership with Hummingbird House, during which time Queensland customers have helped raise more than $4.3 million for the charity through initiatives such as community barbecues, homemade cake stalls, merchandise and donation cards featuring colourful artwork by children and families who have been guests of Hummingbird House.
Telethon
Funds raised in WA go to Telethon who currently supports 107 beneficiaries delivering life-changing programs, purchasing equipment and funding medical research into childhood diseases to help sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children in WA.
Coles is also the “proud” partner of the Telethon Family Festival, a free family event which will take place along Wellington St, Perth on Sunday, 22 October from 10am to 4pm.
Robert Connor Dawes Foundation
Victorians can help improve the odds for kids with brain cancer – the number one disease killer of young people – by supporting the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation to fund research and better patient care.
Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation and John Hunter Children’s Hospital
Funds raised in NSW and the ACT will support research, programs and initiatives by Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation and John Hunter Children’s Hospital which aim to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people.
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Funds raised in South Australia and the Northern Territory will help Make-A-Wish to grant wishes to kids with critical illnesses.
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
Tasmanians can help raise funds to deliver “pleasurable” food education in Tassie schools through the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.