Leading gas and engineering company, BOC has made a significant financial commitment to help Redkite meet an increasing demand for its services at a time when the charity’s revenue has been dealt a financial blow by COVID-19.
BOC - one of Redkite’s long-standing corporate partners that helps fund the essential practical, emotional and financial support services to young children with cancer and their families – has committed to contribute up to $85,000 in dollar matching community contributions to Redkite’s ‘$24FOR24’ kids cancer fundraising campaign.
The commitment is a generous kickstart for the charity’s ‘$24FOR24’ kids cancer fundraising campaign, a week-long drive ending on 24 November that urges all Australians to donate $24 to help families facing childhood cancer get through another challenging 24 hours.
BOC Managing Director, South Pacific, John Evans, said the company and its people had formed a strong connection with the charity over the past 22 years of support, and recognised the important role it played in the community.
“The challenges brought about by COVID have unfortunately meant that many of the initiatives we traditionally undertake to support Redkite were not feasible this year.  Additionally, and like much of the country, we also had our own economic challenges,” Mr Evans said.
“But having heard the stories of the critical role Redkite plays in helping out families who live with the challenges of cancer 24/7, and recognising that the impact of COVID would only amplify this, we wanted to do what we could by providing much-needed financial support.
“While it is a tough time for many, we encourage other corporates to also do what they can to support essential charities such as Redkite with critical financial support in these unprecedented times.”
Since entering into its partnership with Redkite, BOC has funded thousands of hours of support to families through its sponsorship of the Corporate Quiz, involvement in fun runs, fundraising BBQs and its innovative employee giving program, known as KiteTime.
BOC Director, Human Resources Michelle Blume said the KiteTime initiative, which was launched in 2009 and gives staff the opportunity to take between two and eight hours leave, and donate the leave pay for those hours to Redkite, has been a positive employee engagement program.
“It has been a tremendous part of the great workplace culture of BOC.  The program has helped empower colleagues and engage our senior leaders, creating a powerful connection between our people and Redkite,” Ms Blume said. Redkite CEO Monique Keighery said such strong showing of support from BOC during the pandemic was very welcome, reflecting the strong partnership forged since 1998 when BOC made its first corporate donation to the organisation.
“Since that time the partnership has resulted in almost $2.5 million going towards the delivery of services to young Australians and their families, as they live through the challenges of childhood cancer,” Ms Keighery said.
“We welcome BOC’s support and hope to see others also help us meet the massive demands for the essential services from families such as the Pedersen family, whose daughter Scout was diagnosed with leukaemia earlier this year.” 
Australians can donate to the ‘$24FOR24’ kids cancer campaign to ensure children with cancer and their families can continue to receive the essential support they need by visiting 24for24.redkite.org.au