Preston Hire continued its strong support of CFA this Year with the 3rd CFA Platform installed this time it was in Adelaide. Once again this raised almost $10,000 in funds for CFA as well as supporting the important CFA’S Campaign to get the drug ‘ORKAMBI’ included on the PBS. Preston Hire named the platform ‘ORKAMBI’ to raise awareness about this important issue. I met with the CEO of CFA Nettie Burke regularly over the year to give support and even traveled to Canberra to meet with the health minister Greg Hunt to lend support to the cause. In August this year, the government voted in support of the ORKAMBI drug and it is expected to be available to patients as early as December.

Preston Hire has developed a great relationship with Surf Life Saving Australia over the past 3 years. We were approached by SLA and asked to provide two containers, one to be used as a site office and the second as a storage unit. Preston Hire provided the units free of charge to SLA to use one was used at Southport Spit for the Commonwealth Games and the second was used at the Westpac Helipad. We also provided signage on the containers promoting the ‘Swim between the Flags’ campaign.

In South Brisbane a new facility was being built for Ronald Mc Donald House and we received a letter explaining that they were short of funds for this very essential project and asked if we could contribute. Ronald Mc Donald House provides a home away from home for families with sick kids whilst seeking hospital care. Preston Hire provided a 2.2 Superdeck Platform free of charge for the duration of the project.

Motor Neurone Disease is a condition that affects the nerve cells causing weakness in the muscles that gets worse and eventually leads to paralysis. I was approached by a Staff member who has people in his life that are affected by MND to donate to money to help find a cure for this disease, he requested $750 and we happily donated the amount.

Weaves Mission is to empower people to change their lives. Weave is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a way up and a way forward supporting children, young people, families, and communities facing complex situations. They have some amazing programs from Womens centers through to learn to drive programs for youths that don’t have access to cars or can’t afford to get a license. Markus and I were asked to donate an auction item to the Weave Charity Gala Evening, we donated a Hot Lap which raised funds and gave one generous person the ride of their life! Markus and I attended the ball and were impressed by this organisation and look forward to doing more to support it in 2019.

Some Preston Hire Staff joined hosts Karl Stefanovic and Silvia Jefferys in attending the 2018 GNK Foundation Gala. The event raised funds for Youngcare, this organisation raises funds for to assist in providing suitable housing and grants to ensure young people with high care needs can remain at home with loved ones or transition into their own home. Preston Hire was a ‘Platinum Sponsor’ of the evening and also contributed to auction items, overall contributing over $15,000.

I was approached by a Staff member to contribute a prize pack for a charity day to raise money for a very special young lady. Scarlett was diagnosed with GNB1 syndrome, which I hadn’t heard of before receiving the request for help but it’s a condition that means this little girl will need 24/7 care for the rest of her life. Preston Hire Racing got busy and prepared a family-themed gift pack that was auctioned off at the charity day.

The TEKA Karting Association put together an initiative to support our Farmers with a Buy a Bale Raffle at a recent Karting event, the call out for donations of prizes was sent out and Preston Hire donated the main prize which was a signed and framed race suit from Lee Holdsworth.

Preston Hire has had a long association with CMRI with many of our long term Staff remembering our wonderful collection of Celebrity Jean Paintings hanging around our old offices! Markus also served on the board at CMRI for a period of time. I have been contacting by Nermeen Yacoub the National Manager of CMRI to inform us that Preston Hire has been included in a ‘Wall Of Honour’ as we have raised $100,000 for the Charity. We are very honoured to be included and to be Patron of CRMI.

In conjunction with our SuperLife program, we also participated in Movember. Two staff members put their hands up to participate, Movember raises awareness about men’s health focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all staff who have participated in making these initiatives happen, without you all helping out and contributing we wouldn’t be able to give back as much as we do. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and look forward to supporting more exciting and worthwhile causes in 2019.