AMTIL member BOC was the first corporate to partner with children’s cancer support charity Redkite, back in 1998.
Today the partnership is stronger than ever and has made a real impact on childhood cancer support in Australia, helping fund critical emotional and mental health support, financial assistance, and information and resources to help families throughout the long and traumatic cancer experience. Over the 23-year partnership, BOC has raised more than $2.4m for Redkite.
“Redkite and BOC have always had a similar philosophy, based on providing practical help when it’s most needed, as well as a deep commitment to community and looking after families who are doing it tough,” said Monique Keighery, Redkite’s CEO. “BOC’s generosity over the years has helped us achieve significant change that has made a real impact on the lives of children and their families.”
BOC offers an innovative employee giving program, Hero time, which allows team members to take leave and donate the leave pay for those hours to Redkite. Employees are also encouraged to take part in Redkite fundraisers, such as Redkite’s first national Sun-Up Challenge, for which BOC was headline sponsor.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, BOC implemented a virtual Wellbeing Event. Employees around the country pledged to complete a physical activity and BOC matched their entry fees and paid $5 for every kilometre completed. The Wellbeing Event was such a success that it ran again in 2021, this time with BOC paying $1 for every minute completed. BOC raised more than $25,000 for Redkite through this initiative alone.
One particularly passionate employee is Melbourne-based Andrew Wesley, Reliability and Improvement Manager for BOC South Pacific. The keen triathlete and kayaker has undertaken some amazing personal challenges for a good cause, including the New York Marathon.
“Life is about the memories and friendships you make along the way and fundraising for Redkite via the NYC Marathon has given me some of the very best,” says Andrew. “Not just the event but the people I met and interacted with along the way – people from Redkite, from within my local community, and within BOC, who have all been amazing in their generosity, support and sincerity. The fundraising gave me an additional purpose. It made me feel valued, appreciated, and filled me with an enormous amount of gratitude.”