Coopers Brewery Foundation donations up 67%
Coopers Brewery Foundation donations increased by 67 per cent despite the bush fires, pandemic and cancellation of key fundraisers.
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Donations to the charity arm of SA family-owned Coopers Brewery totalled more than $397,000 to the end of June, up more than 67 per cent on the previous financial year.
The extra $159,000 in contributions to the Coopers Brewery Foundation (CBF) came despite the cancellation of its major annual fundraising event, the CBF Golf Day, and brewery tours due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The funds raised support charities that aim to improve the lives of Australians through medical research, health care, aged care and youth education as well as fostering family and community support.
CBF chair Melanie Cooper, who is also finance director of the brewery business, said Australians have found a way to continue supporting worthy causes despite the ongoing drought, bushfires and the global health pandemic linked to COVID-19.
“When COVID-19 hit we were facing a significant shortfall in donations, however, the Foundation’s supporters stepped up and dug deep,” Ms Cooper said.
“We reported a $159,000 increase in donations on the previous year, which is a remarkable result in the current environment.
“We are delighted to have fulfilled our commitment to all our Sustainable Giving Program recipients and other beneficiaries of the Coopers Brewery Foundation this year.
“Even in light of donor fatigue following the summer bushfires across Australia and the cancellation of the annual Golf Day and brewery tours, the Foundation has received overwhelming support,” Ms Cooper said.
CBF has distributed $422,800 to 13 projects throughout the 2019-20 financial year.
More than $5.5m has been donated to 315 charitable projects since it was founded in 2006.
One of the latest beneficiaries of the funds this year is Neuroblastoma Australia.
The organisation will receive a $150,000 grant for childhood cancer research.
The funding will be distributed over three years to research more powerful treatment options for aggressive childhood cancers.
In Australia, approximately 60 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma every year and the average age for diagnosis is just two years old.
Clinical trials have demonstrated that current treatments can be made more effective using new combinations of drugs, but these combinations require further scientific evidence to be implemented.
Neuroblastoma Australia co-founder and president Lucy Jones, said the grant would help to fund promising preclinical research.
“Survival rates for aggressive neuroblastoma are around 50 per cent and more research is desperately needed to find better and safer treatments for the young children it affects,” Ms Jones said.
“It’s now more important than ever to maintain research in childhood cancers. Thanks to the Coopers Brewery Foundation, we can continue our mission to find a cure for this devastating disease.”
CBF operates in a way that every dollar donated is distributed, with all costs of the charity met by Coopers Brewery.