What's going on right now

Saturday 7 July, 2012, the Vodafone Business Leadership Team, with support from the Ponting Foundation in Hobart, hosted a quiz night to raise money for The David Collins Leukaemia Foundation of Tasmania.

The David Collins Leukaemia Foundation of Tasmania works out of Royal Hobart Hospital. Since 1980, the foundation has provided hundreds of patients and their families with care and support through their leukaemia journey, funded research for improvements to treatment and has awarded scholarships for professional development of medical staff in Tasmania.

The night started with a 6 - none other than Ricky Ponting himself live on stage. Ricky opened the night speaking about how much the Ponting Foundation means to him. He then went on to run round one of the quiz questions which, to the entertainment of the crowd, were all about him!

The night was fun and a great success raising $10,000. The Vodafone Foundation matched that amount, resulting in a grand total of $20,000 raised from the night.

What an awesome result!

For more information on The David Collins Leukaemia Foundation click here.

TeamVodafone took on a different challenge in late June, swapping four wheels for two riding in the Brissie to the Bay Bike Ride to raise funds for Queenslanders living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Vodafone Qld staff John Piper, David Ritale and Bec Rooney joined Team Vodafone drivers Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and Scott Pye for the ride. With no biking experience, Bec bought her bike especially for the event!

The 49-strong team was made up by a number ofTeamVodafone members, sponsors and associates and raised an amazing $54,594.

The Vodafone Foundation matched the fundraising efforts of the three staff who rode in the event, contributing $9,000 to the MS Society of Queensland.

Given the amount of money the team raised, the organisers let the team start towards the front. Unfortunately, only 3km into it, the team experienced a puncture and watched everyone ride past.

TeamVodafone manager Adrian Burgess said “The effort on and off the bikes was incredible. [I'm] a little stiff and sore from the 100km ride. But compared to last year when we were plagued with punctures, handlebars and seat posts coming loose, this year we hardly had a drama.”

Bec Rooney said “I want to specially thank all Vodafone employees who donated to this worthy cause.”

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common chronic neurological condition affecting young adults. There is currently no cure. The average age of an MS diagnosis is just 30.

For more information on the Brissie to the Bay Bike Ride for MS click here.

Vodafone Foundation is big fan of '1 Million Acts of Kindness'

The Vodafone Foundation is a proud supporters of Channel Ten's '1 Million Acts of Kindness' , which encourages Australians to take up an eight week challenge to pledge random acts of kindness to friends, family and the community.

The '1MAOK' team was blown away with some of the inspirational stories of our Vodafone Foundation World of Difference participants and how they change the lives of so many people during their year. Look out for our World of Difference team member being featured each week between 14 May and 8 July, 2012.

Stars lend a Voice to kids in need – May 2012

The Vodafone Foundation is a huge supporter of Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD). We fund their 'Catch a Falling Star' program that provides an inspirational mentoring program to five at-risk young people. In addition, Emma O'Connell, one of MMADs new management staff members, was selected as a recipient of one of Vodafone's World of Difference placements in 2011.

Through Vodafone's sponsorship of the Voice we were able to organise a surprise visit by Voice contestants from Team Joel and Team Keith to one of MMADs annual '351 Music Camps'.

Despite rehearsal pressure for contestants, team members took on the role of mentors at the camp, which uses the power of music to engage, educate and inspire disadvantaged youth.

"There is no difference between us and you all. We all have a dream and it just takes that one step to have the courage to try" said Prinnie Stephens, who has previously mentored at MMAD.

There are none more passionate about supporting these young people, who've faced some major challenges in their lives already and are finding inspiration and support in music, than the MMAD team.

After the visit, some MMAD performers were given tickets to go to the live recording of the Voice in May.

Proudly supporting the McGrath Foundation at the 2011/12 Vodafone Test Series

Over the past three years, Vodafone and the Vodafone Foundation have helped raise over $500,000 to support the McGrath Foundation and their work in supporting over 10,000 Australian families experiencing breast cancer.

During this summer of cricket, Vodafone and the Vodafone Foundation are proud to support the McGrath Foundation's 2012 Pink Stumps Day initiative, where local cricket clubs can experience some of the Pink Test magic by running their own Pink Stumps Day in their community. The aim is to raise $1 million to help support the next 10,000 Australian families experiencing breast cancer.Over the past three years, Vodafone and the Vodafone Foundation have helped raise over $500,000 to support the McGrath Foundation and their work in supporting over 10,000 Australian families experiencing breast cancer.

Join Vodafone in supporting the McGrath Foundation and make a donation via your mobile or register your local cricket team to participate in the 2012 Pink Stumps Day. You can also look out for some of our Vodafone staff ready to collect any spare change at selected Test Matches throughout the season. For more information on the McGrath Foundation and how to be a part of the 2012 Pink Stumps Day, please visit www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au

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