Five much-loved local charities will share more than $130,000 to continue their vital community work.

And, it’s all thanks to Tomago Aluminium’s award-winning, employee-administered Workplace Giving Fund.

In 2023, the beneficiaries include Hunter Melanoma Foundation, Jenny’s Place, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Calvary Mater Newcastle Haematology Department and Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS).

Tomago Aluminium interim CEO Nigel Backhouse said the initiative provided much-needed financial assistance to organisations who were doing great work to support the community.

“This year’s funding will go towards the fight against melanoma, sick kids in hospital, local cancer, domestic and family violence services and aero-medical rescue provisions,” he explained.

“Currently 74% of our staff donate to the Workplace Giving Fund from their pay with the company making an additional donation.

“We’re extremely proud of our employees’ commitment to supporting the community.

“Over the past five years, we’ve donated more than $1 million to local charities.”

The Workplace Giving Fund backs the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service annually.

But, each year staff also vote to select four other charities to receive funding.

While the WRHS secured $80,000 in 2023, the remaining quartet collected $14,000 apiece.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service acting head of marketing and fundraising Jason Bourke said Tomago Aluminium and its employees had supported them for 35 years.

“Tomago Aluminium is one of the largest and most generous workplace donors for the WRHS in the Hunter,” he added.

“We’re extremely fortunate to have their ongoing support again.

“We recognise and thank each and every one of them.

“Their support allows us to deliver a world-class aero-medical rescue service to the people of the Hunter and Northern NSW and assists us in saving the lives of more than 1,500 people each year.”

Hunter Melanoma Foundation executive officer Claudia Tolhurst also welcomed the donation.

“Two in three people will be diagnosed with some sort of melanoma in their lifetime,” she said.

“This funding from Tomago Aluminium will help us to educate the community on prevention and early detection, which is vital for successful treatment.”

Tomago Aluminium’s Workplace Giving Fund has been recognised for the past three consecutive years at the Workplace Giving Awards, too, winning a Gold Award in 2020.

Tomago Aluminium 2023 Workplace Giving Fund recipients

• Starlight Children’s Foundation: Provides entertainment, games and deliveries to hospitalised children.
• Jenny’s Place: Provides direct relief and support to Hunter women and children who are experiencing or at risk of domestic violence and homelessness.
• Calvary Mater Newcastle Haematology Department: Is the major cancer care centre for the Hunter New England Local Health District, providing outpatient and in-patient treatment.
• Hunter Melanoma Foundation: Is on a mission to defeat melanoma.
• Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service: Providing emergency aeromedical services to 1.5 million people across Northern NSW.

For more community stories:

• Deputy mayor Griffin pushes for Jocko Graves’ Heritage inclusion
• Electric bus trial road-tested in region
• Dry July drives Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation support

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