One of the Hunter-based partners of the Greater Charitable Foundation has sung the organisation’s praises.
As the much-loved institution celebrates its 10th anniversary in December, and $10 million in funding support, it also received numerous accolades from many appreciative groups, including Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Northern NSW.
A recipient of the foundation from 2019 to 2021, RMHC has assisted 478 students during that period as well as provide 550 nights’ accommodation for 82 families of children, who have been diagnosed with a serious illness, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funding allowed them to facilitate the Ronald McDonald Learning Program, which helps youngsters return to school by offering them individualised educational support tailored to suit their specific needs.
The initiative is based in the Hunter but assists families from across Northern NSW, too.
It is tailored to the specific needs of each child by providing tuition, education liaison with their school, as well as a range of activities at the house.
In addition to the program support, the Greater Charitable Foundation provided further funding in 2020 that ensured they were able to “keep the lights on” for seriously-ill children and their families throughout the coronavirus epidemic.
“The partnership we have had with the foundation has been exceptional in that it has felt more like being included as part of the family,” Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said.
“There have been a number of times beyond the grants program where RMHC has benefitted from additional opportunities with the foundation.
“And, likewise, there have been times when our expertise has been an assistance to the Greater Bank’s staff and customers.
“CEO Anne Long has truly nurtured the relationship.
“We are very proud and feel privileged to be associated with such a kind and giving foundation.”
The Greater Charitable Foundation has partnered with 31 charity groups over the past decade.
Autism Spectrum Australia, assisting those in the Hunter and Mid-North Coast, received funds from 2011-2017 to support the pilot and roll-out of Aspect’s Early Intervention Readiness Program (EIRP) in the Hunter.
The initiative helps families through the challenges they face after diagnosis of autism.
It provides information and practical support to prepare them for their child’s transition into appropriate services to enhance their future learning potential.
Demand for the program was overwhelming, with more than 500 families taking part.
Additional funding enabled the EIRP service provision to expand to Port Macquarie in 2015.
In April 2016, the Greater Charitable Foundation was the recipient of Aspect’s Above and Beyond Recognition Award for the support of EIRP and all the families living with autism who had benefited from the initiative.
In 2021, the foundation partnered with Aspect once again, backing the Work Education and Employment Skill Program, which delivers specialised autism-specific assistance for its high school students that helps in the transition from school to employment.
Another beneficiary has been the University of Newcastle (UoN).
From 2017 to 2021, the Greater Charitable Foundation provided almost $450,000 for the uni’s Healthy Youngsters Healthy Dads program, the world’s first father-focused obesity prevention initiative for preschool-aged children.
It gave fathers the knowledge, parenting skills and motivation to improve their health and become healthy role models for their kids.
The funding supported more than 220 families in the Hunter and has offered ongoing benefits to maintain the wellbeing in their household.
Based on research into child obesity, physical activity, screen-time and health behaviours, the program involved sessions that the dads and their pre-schoolers attend, as well as two fathers-only workshops to teach them evidence-based parenting skills to optimise their child’s physical activity, dietary behaviours and social-emotional wellbeing.
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