Maddie Riewoldt Charity Wins Vic Telstra Business Award

The Snowdome Foundation in collaboration with Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision has won the inaugural Telstra Business charity award in Victoria.

A new “charity” classification in the Telstra Business Awards has been introduced this year, recognising the significant contribution charities make to Australian communities and the economy.

The Snowdome Foundation along with Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision was shortlisted as one of the top six Not for Profits in the Victorian section.

The charity was set up in memory of the sister of AFL St Kilda captain, Nic Riewoldt who accepted the award on behalf of the charity. Maddie Riewoldt died from a rare blood disorder in February 2015.

We won!!! @SnowdomeAU @MaddiesVision #telstrabizawards pic.twitter.com/lUoMw1e8Ud

— Maddie’s Vision (@MaddiesVision) July 19, 2016

“My sister Maddie died in February 2015 with one wish, that no-one ever has to experience what she did. That wish has underpinned Maddie’s Vision’s mission to urgently find new treatments and this award highlights our progress in achieving this goal,” Riewoldt said.

“We have raised over one million dollars in donations and have granted over 50 per cent of the funds into three significant medical research projects in less than 12 months.

“Collaboration with The Snowdome Foundation’s passionate board and experienced committees has meant we were able to act quickly with solid business decisions and keep our eye on our purpose,” he said.

Snowdome Foundation chairman, Roger Greenman said they were thrilled to be recognised for their unique work to accelerate new treatments to Australian blood cancer patients.

“Our entire Board of volunteers works tirelessly to raise funding which results in new research, clinical trials and projects that have helped Australian blood cancer patients gain access to treatments that were not otherwise possible.”

Each year, about 12,000 Australians are diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma and a further 140 are diagnosed with bone marrow failure syndromes. Since forming in 2010, the Snowdome Foundation with the Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision collaboration has raised $11.5 million, which has ultimately led to 229 Australian leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma patients participating in ground-breaking treatments.

“We believe this recognition is a reflection of the trust our stakeholders have in the Snowdome Foundation and our passion to ‘make hope real’ in the fight against blood cancers,” Greenman said.

Last week a local Darwin charity providing support to people living with disabilities won the 2016 Telstra Northern Territory Business of the Year, making it the first charity to win the overall Award for any state or territory in the Telstra Business Awards.

HPA “Helping People Achieve” has been offering supported employment and accommodation options to Territorians living with disabilities since 1963. The Not for Profit organisation was recognised as the overall 2016 Telstra Northern Territory Business of the Year and winner of the inaugural Charity Award category.

Queensland social enterprise the  World Wellness Group, which runs a clinic for socially disadvantaged people, received the 2016 Telstra Queensland Charity Award in that state.

State winners go into the national finals to be announced on Friday, August 26.