29 November 2017

Will Hodgman, Premier

Cancer support services boosted through Ponting Foundation partnership

Every Tasmanian deserves to be able to rely on a little extra support when they need it.

It is in that spirit that the Tasmanian Liberal Government last year entered into a partnership with the Ponting Foundation to help out charities that assist young Tasmanians with cancer.

This partnership saw the Government match dollar for dollar funds raised by Ricky’s Biggest Game of Cricket in Launceston earlier this year, which resulted in over $400,000 raised for the Ponting Foundation.

Ricky and his wife Rianna were today in Tasmania to award grants to five very worthwhile projects that support young patients and their families.

They are:

• Camp Quality’s puppetry cancer education tours - meaning 64 Tasmanian Primary schools can now be visited over the next two years.
• CanTeen’s PEER (Place of Enablement, Empowerment and Relationship) three day support program - to help 40 young people cope with cancer –either their own or that of a close family member.
• Spurr Wing’s accommodation improvements and maintenance project - repainting facilities and providing electronic entertainment devices for patient use.
• Cancer Council Tasmania’s family and patient care support programs - the provision of small grants to support young people with cancer and their families with the expenses and stress of a diagnosis. This includes funding home care needs and the purchase of ipads that can be loaned to patients.
• The Ponting Foundation’s Tasmanian Carer’s Booklet update and website project - the updating and re-printing of an existing information guide plus a standalone website linking to third party support sites.

The Government acknowledges the tireless work these charities do in helping Tasmanians overcome the challenges of cancer and we hope that these grants will enable them to make an even greater difference.

The unwavering support shown by Ricky and Rianna for cancer charities in our State is also truly inspiring and we look forward to continuing to work with them through the Ponting Foundation to assist more Tasmanians in their time of need.

More Media Releases from Will Hodgman

More Media Releases from the Premier