Company Comes to Charity’s Rescue
18 January 2016 at 8:35 am
The charity that looked likely to lose $200,000 in the collapse of tech giant, Dick Smith Holdings, has been rescued by another company.
Retail Food Group (RFG), the largest multi-food franchisor in Australia, has committed to supporting Epilepsy Action Australia’s (EAA) biggest annual fundraising event, Purple Day.
The company will promote and fundraise for Purple Day across its franchise network, which includes brands such as Donut King, Brumby’s Bakery, Michel’s Patisserie, Gloria Jean’s Coffees, Pizza Capers and Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar.
It has also committed to match Dick Smith’s proposed $50,000 cash donation.
EAA had been left with a $200,000 funding gap after Dick Smith went into receivership earlier this month.
CEO of EAA, Carol Ireland, said she was relieved that another company had stepped in to support the charity.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Retail Food Group for coming to the rescue of our Purple Day activities and we can’t wait to work with them,” Ireland said.
“They really are our white knight”
Ireland said she was also humbled by the generosity of Australians at a difficult time and is pleased the charity's activities could continue.
“Everyone has really come together to support us in a time of crisis,” she said.
“The support we have received from corporate Australia, the media and the general public has been amazing and, most importantly, means we will be able to continue providing much needed services and support to people living with epilepsy in Australia.”
RFG CEO, Andre Nell, said the move to support EAA aligned with the company’s commitment to the expansion of its corporate social responsibility activities.
“We are proud to be in a position to step in and support Epilepsy Action Australia for the tireless work they do to assist people living with epilepsy and other seizure disorders,” Nell said.
“RFG, its brand systems and our franchisees have always been a proud supporter of Australian charities, and we look forward to rallying together to make a positive impact for EAA.”
RFG said it would support the Purple Day campaign through a variety of activities across its franchise network, including donating products for raffle prizes, selling EAA merchandise boxes and running special Purple Day promotions.
Purple Day will be held on 26 March.
