Kate Miller-Heidke: ‘This feels like something that’s genuinely making a difference’

Singers, TV stars and AFL players were among the guests at the Sony Foundation’s River4Ward event at Crown Aviary.

Young cancer patient Tess McMurtrie and singer Kate Miller-Heidke. Picture: David Caird

Singer Kate Miller-Heidke says it was an honour to help make a difference at the Sony Foundation’s River4Ward event at Crown Aviary on Thursday.

The fundraiser lunch for the You Can Centre in Melbourne attracted big corporate, entertainment and VIP names in support of cancer patients and raised $651,000.

“This feels like something that’s genuinely making a difference,” Miller-Heidke said.

“It’s just such a great feeling to get together again and harness our power to hopefully do some good. I know today we’re raising money for kids from regional areas to get treatment, and to me that’s critical so I’m thrilled to be part of it.”

Stephen Quartermain and Sarah Harris. Picture: David Caird

Holy Holy band member Oscar Dawson. Picture: David Caird

Sony Interaction head Goncalo Fialho and Sony Music CEO Vanessa Picken. Picture: David Caird

Rebecca Maddern. Picture: David Caird

Young cancer patient Tess McMurtrie, who suffers from incurable osteosarcoma, bravely shared her story and said You Can Stay, an accommodation program for regional cancer patients, had been vital for her family.

“I live two hours from Melbourne and when I was having chemotherapy my mum could stay in an apartment in the city 15 minutes from the hospital … which just wouldn’t have been possible if she had to drive two hours,” Tess said.

“Mentally it’s really difficult to be stuck in a hospital room, but to have my mum there with me just made such a huge difference and Sony took off so much financial pressure.”

Guests at the lunch included Fox Footy’s Nathan Buckley and Sarah Jones, Channel 7’s Rebecca Maddern and Hamish McLachlan, Network 10’s Sarah Harris and Stephen Quartermain, Collingwood star Mason Cox, KIIS FM’s Lauren Phillips and Jase Hawkins, Paralympian Kelly Cartwright plus Gaynor Wheatley and Sony executives.