Giving instead of gifting

This year, instead of sending out cards and gifts, we’re helping to upgrade accommodation at Ronald McDonald House in Adelaide for families with seriously ill children.  The adopt-a-room program has been set up to modernise and upgrade a room so it is more welcoming and comfortable for families who have to travel long distances for their child’s medical care.

Ronald McDonald House facilities around Australia help hundreds of families in need every year, offering a “lifeline” to provide a sense of community and help ease the pressures and concerns surrounding the care of sick children a long way from home.

Christmas in a Bag – Helping the Wesley Mission Queensland Red Bag Appeal 2017

We’ve been busy in Brisbane filling bags with lots of Christmas goodies for Wesley Mission’s 2017 Red Bag Appeal – joining dozens of businesses who have also taken up the annual Red Bag challenge this year.  With so many families experiencing poverty, the initiative “will bring hope, comfort and joy to thousands of Queensland families in need this Christmas” by distributing thousands of bags filled with non-perishable food items and Christmas groceries around Queensland.

Giving cancer the Zip – 47 storeys up!

Two of our bravest took a breathtaking leap across Sydney’s CBD rooftops – abseiling through the air to raise thousands of dollars for the Cancer Council New South Wales.

47 storeys up and with an eye-watering view of Sydney Harbour, our girls stepped up to help support and bring attention to Cancer Council NSW – an incredible organisation dedicated to supporting those touched by cancer and preventing and managing cancer in the future.  Casee Roberts and Yasmin O’Driscoll, our hats are well and truly off!

Diving In for Diversity in Perth

It’s a first for Perth! Gilchrist Connell is the main sponsor for Perth’s first Dive In event – a presentation by senior banking executive Francine Ryan – who shared her strategies for fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, and the benefits for business.

Dive In is a global initiative helping insurance get fit for the future by promoting positive changes in the workplace, and this year’s theme is ‘The Diversity Dividend’.  With 7,000 people registered in 17 countries, the program highlights the business case for different perspectives and inclusive working cultures, providing plenty of practical ideas and inspiration.  www.diveinfestival.com

GC goes “Backpacking”

It was great to help out at Backpacks 4 SA Kids – the charity that helps children taken into emergency care without warning by giving backpacks filled with clothes, toys and personal items.  Hundreds of kids in these traumatic situations often have to leave everything behind with nothing but the clothes on their back and no chance to pack, so the charity provides them with useful items they can call their own.  The packs cater for children from newborn babies through to young adults, providing some reassurance and comfort in a time of crisis.

Helping Foodbank Relieve Hunger

Our corporate services team got stuck in to help at a volunteer morning for Foodbank – the largest hunger relief organisation in Australia. The team sorted and organised pallet loads of donated food items and learned about Foodbank’s extraordinary work.  Last year Foodbank, a ‘pantry’ to the charities and organisations that feed the hungry, provided food for 60 million meals.  Food insecurity is a national crisis – for more about Foodbank click here.

Walking for Justice

Staff from Gilchrist Connell Adelaide donned the purple and “Walked for Justice” to help raise funds for JusticeNetSA and celebrate the legal profession’s commitment to access to justice.

The team joined hundreds of others to brave a chilly morning and stride the 5km scenic route through the university, river and botanical gardens precincts, wrapping up with a well-earned breakfast served by JusticeNet’s ‘Breakfast Club’ of legal, corporate and community leaders.  The funds raised will support JusticeNet’s work helping those experiencing poverty, disability, risk of homelessness, refugees and people representing themselves in court.