Naming-rights partner St.George Bank has joined forces with the Queensland Reds to strengthen the Super Rugby Champions’ bid to support young Australians with cancer, through the Sony Foundation’s You Can campaign.
The You Can campaign collects and recycles unwanted mobile phones of all brands, with the funds raised going towards the building of specialised youth cancer centres across Australia.
As well as dropping off their old phones at all Reds home games, Queenslanders will also be able to dispose of their old mobile phones by using reply paid envelopes which will be available at the St.George Fan Bank Head Quarters at the Reds Fan Day on February 18 at Ballymore, and in all St.George bank branches across the state.
St.George Bank’s Managing Director for Queensland and Western Australia, Martin Barrett, said St.George is passionate about supporting such a worthwhile cause.
“St.George is committed to supporting You Can and the critical work they do in fighting youth cancer. We’ll have mobile phone collection bins and the You Can reply paid envelopes available in all of our Queensland branches, to make it easier for people to donate their phones,” Mr Barrett said.
“The You Can campaign is a fantastic initiative – as well as raising funds to build age-appropriate cancer centres for young adults it also has enormous environmental benefits. St.George Foundation in Queensland is proud to partner with You Can and the Reds to provide much needed support for young people living with cancer,” Mr Barrett said.
St.George Foundation helps build a secure future for disadvantaged children. Since 1990 the Foundation has invested more than $17.5 million to improve the lives of Aussie kids who are physically, socially or economically disadvantaged.
Sony Foundation CEO Sophie Ryan said she was thrilled St.George, through their partnership with the Reds, will be assisting in raising funds for You Can throughout Queensland.
“To have You Can collection points in St.George Bank branches throughout Queensland, and at all Queensland Reds home games is a huge boost for our charity campaign and will make it easy for Queenslanders to support this important cause,” Ms Ryan said.
"With mobile phones being upgraded almost every 12 to 18 months, there is a continuous supply of devices becoming obsolete each year that can be recycled, helping not only the environment but also young Australians fighting cancer.
“With each phone being recycled to raise much needed funds, donations really do make a difference.”
Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said the Reds squad alone has donated around 30 phones so far to the cause and he expects that number to reach 100.
“The boys always seems to be in touch with the latest gadgets, so I’m sure most of them would have at least one unused phone lying around at home,” McKenzie said.
“By donating old phones they’ll be helping make a difference to the lives of young Australians, no different to themselves.
“It’s great that St.George have come onboard to help us in our bid to lend our support to the Sony Foundation’s You Can campaign.”
You Can collection bins and also free post envelopes will be at all St.George Queensland Reds home games and in all St.George Bank branches across the state.
For more information visit www.youcan.org.au
Australian adventurers Cas (James Castrission, 29) and Jonesy (Justin Jones, 28) have created history by becoming the first pair to travel the 2270km journey from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back, totally unsupported.The arduous trek was in support of Sony Foundation's You Can campaign, which supports young people in Australia with cancer.
After 89 days pushing the very limits of mental and physical pain in one of the planet’s most unpredictable and harshest landscapes, Cas and Jonesy fittingly completed their trek on Australia Day just in time for the last flight out of Antarctica for the season. Suffering from severe sleep and food depravation the boys have experienced hallucinations, continuous fatigue and painful injuries. The pair have been rationing food for most of the expedition and have lost approximately 55kg between them.
“It’s an absolutely fantastic feeling, I can’t describe the elation I am feeling right now,” said Cas. “It’s been nearly three months of extreme hardship and at times simply surviving this adventure has been our goal. It’s great to finish this trek on Australia Day too and we can’t wait to step onto the tarmac at Sydney Airport next week.”
“Despite the blisters, ulcers, soreness and fatigue I feel fantastic!” explained Jonesy. “This trek has been the most mentally and physically demanding thing I have ever done but it feels worth it! I know the enormity of what we have achieved probably won’t sink in until we are back home however I’m now just looking forward to a nice hot meal and sleeping in a comfortable bed!”
Cas and Jonesy are currently awaiting their flight out of Antarctica and will be recuperating and undergoing routine medical examinations in Chile before returning to Australia next week, date TBC.
The Crossing the Ice expedition aims to raise money for the Sony Foundation charitable campaign You Can, which supports young people in Australia with cancer. Young Australians with cancer do not receive specialist treatment and are placed in either paediatric or adult wards.
Followers of Cas and Jonesy can show their support by donating at www.casandjonesy.com.au with all funds raised going towards the creation of specialist youth cancer centres.
To find out more about this record-breaking adventure and to donate, visit www.casandjonesy.com.au
The Sydney Sixers have done it – they are the first ever KFC T20 Big Bash League Champions after beating the Perth Scorchers by seven wickets in a thrilling final.
A brilliant 110-run opening partnership by Moises Henriques and Steve O’Keefe has led the Men in Magenta to a memorable and historic victory in front a packed house at the WACA.
In front of a sold out crowd and television audiences never seen before in Australian domestic cricket, the Sixers capped off a history making competition to go down in the record books as the first winners of the Big Bash League. Along the way the Sixers have raised both money and awareness for youth cancer and Sony Foundation's 'You Can' campaign. Sony Foundation thanks the Sixers for their incredible support and congratulates them on their well-deserved victory.
Sony Foundation is joining a new generation of cricket. Set to be the biggest party in Sydney this summer, the Sydney Sixers will be playing in the KFC T20 Big Bash League and we are their official Charity Partner.
The Sixers promise to up the ante and bring some rock ‘n’ roll back to the game, playing fast and fun cricket. They have assembled some of the game’s best including Brett Lee, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Stephen O’Keefe and Steven Smith.
To help raise awareness and money for Sony Foundation’s ‘You Can’ campaign, the Sixers are incentivizing mobile phone donations. Party goers attending the Sixers home matches at the SCG can bring an old phone along and get a mate in for free!
The ticket offer is available for all three Sydney Sixers games at the SCG, starting this Friday, 16 December against the Brisbane Heat.
Sony Foundation will recycle these phones to raise funds for the ‘You Can’ campaign to build youth cancer centres of excellence across Australia.
Make sure you get down to the SCG this summer and don’t forget to bring your old phone!
For more information visit www.sydneysixers.com.au
On Thursday, 13 October 2011, Sony Foundation Australia took over the full line-up of restaurants at Sydney’s Woolloomooloo Wharf to host 800 guests for a lunchtime fundraising extravaganza: Wharf4Ward. The star-studded event raised a staggering $550,000 for Sony Foundation’s charity campaign - ‘You Can’ – to build specialised youth cancer wards across Australia.
Sony Music artists including Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Mark Vincent, Stan Walker and Tim Freedman rocked the wharf and guests were also treated to a special performance from the X Factor finalists.
The event was hosted by supporters from each major network: Channel Seven’s Samantha Armytage and Andrew O’Keefe, Nine Network’s Peter Overton and Natalie Gruzlewski, and Network Ten’s Natarsha Belling and Dr Andrew Rochford. The Live Auction was hosted by a charismatic David Koch.
Other noted guests included Jodi Gordon and Braith Anasta, Ronan Keating, Melissa Doyle, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Dennis Lillee, Nikki Phillips, Charlotte Dawson, Tom Williams, Lizzy Lovette, Danny Clayton and Steve Waugh.
Sophie Ryan, Chief Executive Officer, Sony Foundation Australia, said “ Wharf4Ward was more than just a fabulous day of food and entertainment, most importantly the 800 guests in attendance helped raise a staggering $550,000 for Sony Foundation’s ‘You Can’ campaign to help young Australians survive cancer. This money will make a measurable difference to the lives of young Australians with cancer”.
You can support the 'You Can' campaign simply by donating your old mobile phone at www.youcan.org.au
Home grown adventurers Cas and Jonesy made history in 2008 when they became the first people to kayak from Australia to New Zealand. The epic voyage captured the hearts, minds and imagination of the nation, and in 2011, the pair is set to create a new world record as they walk from the edge of the Antarctic to the South Pole and back again.
In 100 years of polar exploration no one has ever managed to achieve this feat, which borders on the limit of human endurance. Cas (James Castrission, 29) and Jonesy (Justin Jones, 28) will each transport everything they need to survive for the three-month trek in two 160kg sleds, which they will drag over 2,200 kilometres through one of the Earth’s harshest environments. The expedition will coincide with the 100 year centenary of Scott and Amundsen's race to the South Pole.
The expedition endeavours to raise funds for the Sony Foundation charitable campaign You Can, which supports young people in Australia with cancer. Young Australians with cancer do not receive specialist treatment and are placed in either paediatric or adult wards. Supporters of Cas and Jonesy can “Sponsor a Step” of their Arctic adventure with all funds raised going towards the creation of specialist youth cancer centres.
James Castrission (Cas) said: “The Tasman was just a warm-up as Antarctica is going to be far more demanding, both physically and mentally. The ever-present risk of yawning crevasses, piercing cold, hypothermia and frostbite are challenges we will need to deal with on a daily basis.
“Although we’re pushing our bodies to the limit, we know that our challenge is nothing in comparison to the journey that young Aussies with cancer have so we want to share our story and raise these funds in a spirit of solidarity,” Castrission continued.
The challenging journey will be captured and shared using the latest range of Sony Bloggie cameras (Sony is an expedition sponsor), which will deliver high-definition images from the remote, icy Antarctic environment. In support of the campaign, five dollars from every Bloggie purchased will also be donated to You Can – to help create a better future for young Australians with cancer.
Justin Jones (Jonesy) said: “These big expeditions are about meticulous planning, preparation and getting your systems right. We recently trained for a month in the Arctic, which let us refine the exact gear we’ll need. It was tough but recently sharing the journey that some of our own friends with cancer have gone through has made us all the more determined to achieve this world first".
To follow this record-breaking adventure, visit www.casandjonesy.com.au and to 'Sponsor a Step' of their journey click here.
The Salvation Army and Sony Foundation Australia today announced a significant partnership to provide long term support to the flood-devastated community of Goodna in the City of Ipswich, Queensland, with Sony Foundation donating $2 million to establish a community hub.
Sony Foundation Australia has donated the profits from Sony Music’s “FLOOD RELIEF – Artists for the Flood Appeal” CD to The Salvation Army to make a long term investment in a community devastated by the floods.
Australians rallied to the cause and propelled the Sony ‘Flood Relief’ album to number one in the charts earlier this year, generating $2 million. The organisation is donating that money to The Salvation Army Flood Appeal to establish ‘The Salvation Army and Sony Foundation Youth and Community Centre’.
The centre will be located in Goodna, a suburb of Ipswich 20 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD. It was one of the communities in Qld hardest hit by the floods – 400 homes were lost and thousands of lives impacted.
“We hope our donation will go a long way in assisting the communities affected by the floods, particularly the young people in these areas,” said Denis Handlin AM, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Entertainment Australia & New Zealand and President, South East Asia & Korea.
“Working with The Salvation Army we’re in there for the long term – providing support for young people affected by the floods to help get them back on track.”
“Our thanks go to all the artists, songwriters and media partners who generously donated their tracks royalty free. We also thank Sony DADC Australia for kindly donating the CD manufacturing. Without this support the album and the subsequent donation would not be possible.”
The Salvation Army’s Flood Relief Coordinator, Major Paul Moulds, welcomed the donation: “The Salvation Army recognises it will take many Queenslanders years to recover from the enormity of the natural disasters that hit the state earlier this year.
“This means long term support is needed and today’s generous donation from Sony Foundation Australia will enable us to continue our presence in the flood affected community of Goodna and the region of Ipswich for many years to come.”
The planned Youth and Community Centre will offer a range of services that staff will tailor to meet local needs. It is planned that it will be a hub of community and youth services, including a community space and a cafe. The community will have access to youth camps, community events, school holiday activities, after school education, creative courses, counselling, training, financial counselling, a No Interest Loan Scheme, Salvos Legal Service and a Building and Housing Assistance Scheme.
“The Salvation Army recognises that disaster response is not just about helping people to rebuild their homes, it’s about rebuilding lives,” said Major Paul Moulds. “The centre will be a beacon of hope where staff will journey with locals during their recovery – providing practical and emotional support for people’s individual challenges.”
In thanking Sony Foundation Australia, Paul Moulds said: “We are so grateful to corporations like Sony Music and to Australians who have trusted us with the resources to respond to the huge needs that are still being faced by many Queenslanders. We will not let you down.”
Books are an essential learning tool but unfortunately most young children in remote parts of South Africa are too poor to afford them. As a champion of children's education, Sony Australia is supporting the South Africa Mobile Library Project by collecting books until Monday 11 July 2011. Organisers are looking for new or used English language books (preferably British English); books suitable for ages 6 to 14; picture books, word books or story books for children who are learning to read; and children's reference books and encyclopaedias published after 1995. Donations can be dropped at the loading dock of Sony’s warehouse, 33-39 Talavera Rd, North Ryde, from 9am – 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Photo by Kelly Geddes
Rainbow Street Primary School in Sydney's Randwick is just one of over 1,000 Australian primary schools who have registered in Sony Foundation's You Can Schools Program. To get your school involved please visit: www.youcanschools.org.au
Sony Corporation has announced that, following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the northern region of Japan on March 11, Sony and its group of companies will donate 300 million Japanese yen to help relief and recovery efforts in communities affected.
Additionally, a disaster relief fund will collect donations across the Sony Group from employees worldwide, and their contributions will be matched by the company through a matching gifts program.
The company will also donate 30,000 Sony radios to assist the relief of earthquake victims, while the Sony Group will prepare further product donations going forward, taking into account the local needs.
Sir Howard Stringer Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Sony Corporation said, “The world watches with awe and empathy as Japan struggles patiently and bravely to cope with the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the northern region of the country on March 11. Significant aftershocks continue. The scale of the massive destruction cannot yet be calculated”.
Sir Howard expressed his support for Sony employees in the area, “Right now, our first priority is to ensure that all of our employees in the region are safe and supported, and significant efforts are underway in that regard. Our thoughts are with all of our colleagues throughout the region, as well as their families and loved ones. Rest assured that we will do everything we can to help them through these very difficult times”.
In 2010, Sony Foundation Australia, together with CanTeen, launched ‘You Can’, a national fundraising campaign to build youth cancer centres across Australia. You Can’s major fundraising mechanic calls on all Australians to recycle their old mobile phones.
Sony Foundation has now launched the You Can Schools Program, encouraging Australian Primary schools to collect and recycle their old mobile phones. Not only will students be helping young Australians survive cancer and be contributing to a greener planet, they will also be rewarded for their efforts. The You Can Schools Program encourages primary schools to donate old mobiles in exchange for educational products such as interactive whiteboards and Sony laptops. Just two weeks in, over 250 primary schools have signed up to this innovative program.
To find out more visit www.youcanschools.org.au
On January 24, Lance Armstrong and CanTeen Australia launched a $50 million initiative that will create the world’s first comprehensive national approach to the treatment and support of teenagers and young adults with cancer.
In launching the initiative, cancer survivor, champion cyclist and LIVESTRONG® founder and chairman Lance Armstrong said:
“LIVESTRONG is incredibly proud of our friends at CanTeen for this extraordinary accomplishment. The establishment of the Youth Cancer Networks Program is not only a major victory for CanTeen, it’s a victory for the global community of adolescent and young adult oncology.”
The initiative is a groundbreaking collaboration involving the Australian Government, State and Territory health services, corporate and community support, cancer clinicians and young cancer patients and survivors, and led by CanTeen - the Australian organisation for young people living with cancer.
The cornerstone of the initiative is the Australian Government funded $15 million Youth Cancer Networks Program, which was launched in Adelaide by the Federal Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Penny Wong. The aim of the Program is to improve survival rates and quality of life for adolescents and young adults with cancer in Australia.
“The Australian Government recognises the unique needs of young people diagnosed with cancer, which is why we’re proud to fund the Youth Cancer Networks Program to help improve the lives of young Australians,” Senator Wong said.
“Led by CanTeen, the Program is a terrific demonstration of what can be achieved through collaboration between Federal and State Governments, non-profit organisations and community supporters, health professionals, and most importantly, patients themselves.”
CanTeen, in partnership with Sony Foundation , has committed to matching funding from the Australian Government, through the You Can campaign.
The funding will establish a network of youth cancer services within State and Territory health systems throughout Australia. The States and Territories have made commitments to fund ongoing service delivery, totalling in excess of $20 million in the first five years of the new services, bringing the total investment to $50 million over this period.
Sony Foundation is proud to play an important role in this revolutionary program and encourages all Australians to contribute by donating their old mobile phone.
Like all Australians, Sony Foundation as well as the Sony companies and their staff have watched in horror as the devastating floods have taken hold of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. From Regional areas to city centres, little has been left untouched. The damage is wide-spread and the impact will be felt for months and even years to come. That is why Sony Foundation with the support of the Sony companies in Australia is determined to play their part in the aftermath of this natural disaster.
Sony Foundation is working hard to raise much-needed funds through a variety of channels outlined below. In keeping with Sony Foundation’s mission to support Australia’s youth, all funds raised will be distributed to youth-specific programs via the Salvation Army. We encourage all Australians to dig deep in this hour of need and support those affected as they work to re-build their lives and look towards a brighter future.
Sony Music Releases Charity CD
Today, Friday 21 January, Sony Music Entertainment Australia announced its support for flood victims through the release of a special benefit compilation CD “FLOOD RELIEF – Artists For The Flood Appeal”.
The response from both Australian and international artists wanting to lend their support has been so overwhelming that an additional disc was added making it a special 3 CD set. “FLOOD RELIEF – Artists For The Flood Appeal” features 59 tracks over three CD’s and features Aussie artists including Midnight Oil, Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian, Tommy Emmanuel, Lee Kernaghan and Crowded House together with international artists such as P!nk, Keith Urban, Sting, Bon Jovi, Kings Of Leon, Beyonce, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, John Mayer, Bob Dylan and Jeff Buckley.
Sony Music proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to the Salvation Army Flood Appeal through Sony Foundation to support young people affected by the tragic floods.
Denis Handlin AM, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Entertainment Australia & New Zealand and President, South East Asia & Korea said:
“The floods in Queensland and throughout Australia have been devastating and affected the lives of so many people across the country. Sony Music Australia is once again proud to offer its support at a time of need through the release of this benefit CD – “FLOOD RELIEF – Artists For The Flood Appeal. We have been overwhelmed by the response by both local and international artists wanting to contribute to the cause and our thanks go to all those artists and songwriters for generously donating their tracks royalty free. We also thank Sony DADC Australia for kindly donating the CD manufacturing."
FLOOD RELIEF – Artists For The Flood Appeal’ will be in stores from Monday 24th January 2011
Sony Music’s ‘Bushfire AID - Artists For the Bushfire Appeal’ CD which was released in 2009 in response the Victorian Bushfires, raised over $1.7 million and sold over 110,000 copies which was donated through the Salvation Army’s Victorian Bushfires Recover Response Youth & Music Project. This project assisted youth of the affected areas through establishing a network of youth support and music programs.
Sony Centre In-store Activation
Today, Friday 21 January, Sony Centre launched a fundraising campaign throughout their network of stores. There will be donation boxes and digital photo frames set up urging customers to contribute. Visit any Sony Centre to donate.
Sony Staff Contribution
Many of the Sony Companies in Australia have set up a facility for their staff to make pre-tax donations to the Flood Appeal from their February salary.
Sony Foundation Helps Magic Millions Raise A 'Magic Million'
Last Saturday, 15 January, Sony Foundation staff and volunteers traveled to the Gold Coast to support fundraising efforts through Sony Foundation’s role as official Charity Partner. Volunteers collected coin donations, pledges and sold raffle tickets with all funds going to the flood appeal. Sony Music artist and Sony Foundation Ambassador Mark Vincent buoyed the hearts of race-goers and those watching at home with his stirring rendition of the national anthem.
If you would like to support the flood appeal simply visit the ‘DONATE’ page of this website.
We are proud to announce that The Ponting Foundation and Vodafone have joined forces to support our You Can campaign throughout the 2010 / 2011 Vodafone Ashes series.
This campaign will reach out to cricket-goers during the Vodafone Ashes Series by urging all supporters attending the Ashes to donate used mobile phones to ‘You Can’.
Through support from Cricket Australia’s Cricket Cares program, specially-branded Ricky Ponting and Vodafone ‘You Can’ mobile phone collection bins will be positioned at each of the Ashes Tests in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
Australian skipper, Ricky Ponting, said: “The Vodafone Ashes is one of the biggest events on our sporting calendar and attracts huge crowds throughout the series. Each of the five Tests presents a significant opportunity for cricket fans of all ages to donate their old phones to help improve the survival rates of young Australians with cancer.”
During the summer of cricket, You Can collection bins will also be positioned in each of the 200 Vodafone and 3 stores nationwide, to encourage people purchasing new mobile phones to donate their old handsets to the cause.
Last Thursday, 21 October, Sony Foundation held a star-studded event to raise funds for our major fundraising campaign -‘You Can’ – to build specialised youth cancer wards across the country. The event, Wharf4Ward, took over the full line-up of restaurants at Sydney’s Woolloomooloo Wharf and raised $470,000 for the cause.
Entertainment was provided by Sony Music artists, including platinum-selling Kate Miller-Heidke, X Factor judge Guy Sebastian, 2009 Australian Idol Stan Walker and 2010 Australia’s Got Talent winners Justice Crew. Other noted guests included Ricky and Rianna Ponting, Geoff Huegill, Eamon Sullivan, Natalie Gruzlewski, Richard Wilkins, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Angela Bishop, Melissa Doyle, David Koch, Natarsha Belling, Samantha Armytage, Larry Emdur, Camilla Franks, Renee Barge, Danny Clayton, Jessica Watson and Dennis Lillee.
Sophie Ryan, Chief Executive Officer, Sony Foundation Australia, said “ Not only was Wharf4Ward a day of fine food and world class entertainment at one of Sydney’s premier dining destinations, the 800 guests in attendance also helped raise a staggering $470 000 for Sony Foundation’s You Can campaign. Currently in Australia, 15 to 30 year olds are the only generation for whom there has been no improvement in cancer survival outcomes for 25 years, making cancer the biggest disease killer or our teenagers. Sony Foundation’s You Can campaign is raising funds to build specialised youth cancer wards which will help improve survival rates for this ‘forgotten generation’. The money raised at Wharf4Ward will make a measurable and immediate difference to the lives of young Australians with cancer”.
Sony Foundation has joined forces with Tabcorp to help spread the You Can message and collect old mobile phones throughout the Spring Racing Carnival and beyond.
From Thursday, 7th October 2010, Australians can drop off any unwanted mobile phones into You Can donation bins in; more than 300 TAB agencies in NSW and Victoria, racecourses and at Star City in Sydney, Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast, Treasury Casino and Hotels in Brisbane and Jupiters Townsville.
Tabcorp Chief Executive Officer Elmer Funke Kupper explains ‘Tabcorp is delighted to get behind You Can and to make available its retail distribution network to help deliver positive change for young people fighting cancer. Customers who donate any old mobile phone will be making a meaningful contribution to You Can’s efforts to create specialised youth cancer centers across Australia.’
The Tabcorp initiative is supported by a group of high profile ambassadors, who will encourage Australians to donate their phones through advertisements to be heard on Sky Sports Radio. The ambassadors include:
Together, Sony Foundation and Tabcorp are helping to improve the odds for young Australians with cancer.
Sony Foundation’s You Can campaign is the official charity partner for ACP’s 30 Days of Fashion & Beauty, a month-long fashion and beauty festival featuring more than 100 events and activations.
ACP aims to raise $500,000 during the month of September to help build youth cancer wards across Australia.
You Can’s primary fundraising mechanic calls on Australians to recycle their old mobile phones – turning trash into much needed funds. ACP Magazines will be collecting phone donations at all 30 Days of Fashion & Beauty events and Priceline stores nationwide throughout September. Each phone is worth approx. $5 to the You Can campaign. Free Post You Can envelopes will also be distributed in the September issues of Harper’s BAZAAR, The Australian Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day, CLEO, Cosmopolitan and NW.
Some of Australia’s most well-known identities have joined forces with You Can as official You Can/30 Days Ambassadors including Brett Lee, Gyton Grantley, Natalie Gruzlewski, Lee Furlong, Mindi Jackson, Emma Freedman and Danny Clayton.
In addition, iconic Australian swimwear brand Jets has designed a special one-off You Can collection including phone print skirts and swimmers. Limited edition You Can/30 Days t-shirts have also been created featuring the original sketches of Jets’ designer Jessika Allen. Funds raised via the sale of these t-shirts will be directed to You Can. Visit www.youcan.org.au to buys yours.
30 Days brand champion and Harper’s Bazaar editor, Edwina McCann said: ‘We are proud to be partnering with Sony Foundation’s You Can. By handing in your old mobile phone at any 30 Days of Fashion & Beauty event or your nearest Priceline store, I’m confident we can reach our target.’
Visit www.30daysoffashionandbeauty.com.au for more information.
Sony employees were among the 80,000 runners who took to the pavement for the 40th-anniversary City2Surf on Sunday August 8.
The annual race, from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach, attracted a record number of runners and Team Sony Foundation, dressed in ‘You Can’ shirts, were a welcome sight particularly up Heartbreak Hill!
Special congratulations must go to Greg Wilson from Sony DADC who blitzed the field in an awe-inspiring time of 48.34 minutes.
On Wednesday 28 July 2010 over 200 guests witnessed a rare sporting battle as some of AFL’s most recognised presidents went head-to-head with a stellar line-up of players at Sony Foundation’s AFL: It’s a Serious Business dinner.
The event, hosted by Hamish McLachlan from the Seven Network’s AFL Game Day , attracted an impressive panel consisting of David Smorgon OAM, President of the Western Bulldogs, Stephen Kernahan, President of the Carlton Football Club, Greg Westaway, President of the St Kilda Football Club and players Barry Hall, Marc Murphy and Steven King.
Held at Melbourne’s controversial Etihad Stadium the talk turned green as guests and panel members nutted out the future of the St Kilda’s home ground. Questions around the Western Bulldogs termination of Jason Akermanis's contract just six weeks before the end of the home-and-away season drew excitement from the crowd and Bulldog’s president David Smorgon explained it was ‘a sad day’ for the club.
The football talk was broken up by entertaining performances from Sony Music artists Greta Bradman and Michael Paynter.
The event raised over $60,000 for Sony Foundation’s youth-related projects.
We are excited to announce that Clinique, the iconic cosmetics brand, has chosen You Can as the charity partner for their latest digital campaign.
It’s well known that dancing is great for our health, helping us keep active while having loads of fun, but from July 11, dance is also helping continue Sony Foundation’s fight against youth cancer thanks to Clinique’s 3-Step Virtual Dance Party.
To bring the 3-Step Virtual Dance Party to life, Clinique enlisted the help of Kate Wormald from So You Think You Can Dance to choreograph a set of moves that mimic the 3-Steps of Clinique’s iconic skin care system. Simple, yet edgy, the steps are easy to pick up in her online tutorials, and once you have the moves mastered, getting involved is as easy as 1, 2, 3:
Step 1 – Go into store and collect your free sample of 3-Step, Clinique’s skin care system which cleanses, exfoliates and moisturises to help create your best skin yet!
Step 2 – Log onto Cliniquetv.com.au and upload a video or photograph of yourself busting your freshest 3-Step move. Make sure you tell all your friends to join your 3-Step party for the chance to win some great prizes from Sony, Clinique, Fitness First and Brasilfit.
Step 3 – Let Clinique donate $1 for every person who joins to You Can.
It’s fun, it’s easy, you don’t even have to leave your house. And remember, the more people who join, the more money Clinique will donate to You Can.
For full details of the 3-Step Virtual Dance Party and how your dance can help a good cause, check out www.cliniquetv.com.au.
On Saturday, July 10, Sony Foundation held a star-studded event to launch Fashion4Ward. Held at BLUE Hotel’s Water Bar, at the spectacular Woolloomooloo Wharf, the launch was a preview of next year’s major fashion industry fundraiser.
Fashion4Ward is all about the fusion of fashion and music – where glamour and rock collide in the name of a very good cause. The launch of Fashion4Ward brought together collections from leading Australian designers, Alex Perry, Collette Dinnigan and J’Aton, with performances from Sony Music artists Rogue Traders and Amy Meredith. The launch event featured contestants from Australia’s Next Top Model on the catwalk and will screen in an upcoming episode of the series.
Over 300 people gathered for the glamorous night including Sony Foundation ambassadors Alex Perry and Emma Freedman, Australia’s Next Top Model judges Sarah Murdoch, Charlotte Dawson and Jez Smith, as well Erin McNaught, Danny Clayton, Lizzy Lovette, Geoff Huegill and Renee Bargh.
Funds raised at Fashion4Ward will go towards Sony Foundation’s You Can campaign to help build youth cancer wards across the country. Who said fashion is only for fun?
On Monday, 17 May, Socceroos captain Lucas Neill, Australian Cricket captain Ricky Ponting, Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom and Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, joined with other captains of sport, the arts, business and politics at Sony Foundation’s Australian Captains’ Dinner to generate awareness of the You Can campaign.
The evening, held at the magnificent Astral Restaurant, Star City, attracted well-known Australian leaders and champions, past and present, including The Hon. Tony Abbott MP, The Hon. Bob Hawke AC, John Eales AM, Grant Hackett OAM and Libby Trickett OAM. Other guests included Peter Overton, Jessica Rowe, Brett Lee, Matt Preston, Barry O’Farrell MP, Natarsha Belling, Natalie Gruzlewski, Tom Williams, Samantha Armytage and the evening’s charismatic host, Alan Jones AO.
In a night celebrating Australian leadership, Sony Foundation Ambassador Lucas Neill was the first to call on Australian heroes to use their influence to secure the survival of our 15 to 30 year olds, asking his fellow leaders to “Stand shoulder to shoulder with Australian teenagers, to ensure every young person has the chance to become one of our next Australian Captains”.
In his address Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, encouraged all the captains in the room to get behind the You Can campaign, “I'm confident we're going to get there - drag out your mobile phones, the old ones, all those loitering in your top drawer at the office. It makes a difference. Hop into it, it's worthwhile”.
With the help and support of Sony Foundation corporate partners Starcom and Hausmann Communications, You Can has captured the minds, pens and microphones of Australia’s media. Follow the below links to read some of this valuable coverage. This is just a taste of things to come!
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2010/03/you-can-recycles-your-phone-for-canteen/
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/03/recycle-your-old-mobile-for-youth-cancer/
http://www.techdaily.com.au/tbn/?p=290
http://www.gmagazine.com.au/news/1850/recycle-your-phone-yes-you-can
Sony Music star and Sony Foundation ambassador Stan Walker has given up much of his rare spare time to support and promote You Can. From Sydney FC training appearances to a photo shoot with CanTeen members – Stan never ceases to make those around him smile. His message is a powerful one – a family history of cancer and the death of his 17 year old cousin to the disease, means Stan knows only too well the nightmare facing teenagers with cancer. Sadly his first hand experience makes Stan appreciate the difference specialised and age-appropriate services will make to this nightmare, not only for the patient but also for their family and friends.
Stan recently shared his story with That’s Life magazine. To read this article visit: http://www.thatslife.com.au/article.asp?ArticleID=3278
After months of preparation it is with great pride we announce the official launch of Sony Foundation and CanTeen’s You Can campaign to build youth cancer centres of excellence across Australia.
Why are we raising money for youth cancer centres?
In Australia, teenagers and young adults fall into a health gap. Like a forgotten generation, those over 16 are currently treated in wards established with much older people in mind, which has a profound impact on their treatment and their survival.
Sony Foundation and CanTeen are working together to give our most precious resource, our youth, a fighting chance, by building specialised and age-appropriate youth cancer centres.
The creation of these centres virtually guarantees an increase in the survival rates, through the collaboration of medical experts, the development of specialised treatments and the opportunity for young people to be amongst peers in a dedicated, encouraging environment.
Some will be built from scratch others will be created by renovating existing wards. All will take a lot of hard work, money and commitment. That’s why we need your help and by help we don’t mean money – we just want your old mobile phones!
Why mobile phones?
It is estimated that there are anywhere from 15 to 20 million unwanted phones in Australian homes. On average, Australians upgrade or change their phone every 18 months. This means there is a continuous supply of mobile phones becoming obsolete each year.
Sony Foundation has partnered with Folamh, an Irish recycling company, to swap old mobile phones for cash. The monies raised will be used for the development of youth cancer centres. All donated phones will be recycled for reuse. So simply by donating an old mobile phone, Australians can directly contribute to You Can’s fundraising appeal, whilst also helping to create a greener planet. Genius!
To make donating phones as simple as possible we have developed a free-post You Can envelope. Over the next twelve months over 20 million You Can envelopes will be inserted in national newspapers and magazines – sending the You Can message into people’s homes – where their phones are!
Other easy ways to donate your phone include downloading and printing a pre-paid You Can envelope from the campaign website –www.youcan.org.au. You can also use the website to find your nearest You Can phone collection bin – located in Sony Centre stores and other retail outlets across Australia.
So go on - donate yours today. No one likes a hoarder!
Sydney’s A- list turned out to celebrate the event of a lifetime – Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT- on Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday 2 March at the regal City Recital Hall.
The star-studded night included emotional and insightful Q & As between the night’s host, Molly Meldrum, and three of Michael Jackson’s closest friends. Acclaimed THIS IS IT director Kenny Ortega praised Australian fans for their dedication as did choreographer extraordinaire Travis Payne and Michael Jackson’s brother Jackie Jackson.
Not only was the night a celebration of the King of Pop with exclusive footage and performances but it was also a great success for You Can with celebrities galore donating their old mobile phones. Everyone from Guy Sebastian and Delta Goodrem to Nacho Pop and Richard Reid showed their support for Sony Foundation and CanTeen’s initiative.
Also enjoying the spectacular display of talent were Sony Foundation ambassadors Emma Freedman and Dr John D’Arcy.
Not only did attendees have the opportunity to donate their phone on the night but all guests also received a You Can pre-paid envelope to take home- making it easy for them to donate the phones kicking around their bottom drawer.
The night ended on a dramatic high with Guy Sebastian and Delta Goodrem’s emotional rendition of Earth Song. This iconic song’s message has never been more relevant. Donate your old mobile phone for recycling today.
Sony Foundation thanks Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for a wonderful night of entertainment and their generous support of You Can.
Stan’s the man! Australia’s newest Idol, Stan Walker, has joined Sony Foundation as an official ambassador. The charismatic singer will aid in raising the profile of the Foundation as we take our innovative youth programs into the public domain.
For Stan, who has a family history of cancer, the Foundation’s latest campaign to build specialised cancer wards for 15-30 year olds is of particular significance.
"My cousin passed away from cancer last year, he was only 17. It was heartbreaking and the fact he was sharing a ward with old people made it worse. I feel privileged to be able to support the Sony Foundation in this important campaign,” Walker said.
One in 100 Australians is diagnosed with cancer before the age of 30 and in the last 25 years there has been virtually no improvement in survival outcomes for the 15 to 30 age group. Sony Foundation, along with charity partner CanTeen, is determined to provide teenage and young adult cancer sufferers with the specialised services they deserve.
For Stan Walker – using his new found success to do good is a priority. “My win is so much bigger than me,” he says. “It’s for everyone who has ever done it tough”.
Stan joins a host of high-profile ambassadors including Socceroo stars Lucas Neill and Tim Cahill who have dedicated their time, energy and public profile to help the Foundation achieve its mission to assist Australia’s youth and foster their talents.
On Saturday, 31 October, Sony Foundation helped bring smiles to the faces of sick kids at Sydney’s Westmead Children’s Hospital by organising a visit from Australian Idol’s top five.
Stan, James, Toby, Nathan and Hayley took time out of their hectic Idol schedules and calmed any pre-show nerves by spending the morning entertaining and interacting with dozens of thrilled children, their families and some big fans on the nursing staff.
Many of the kids gave the singers a run for their money with guitar duels, duets and sing-a-long’s. The Idol’s surprise visit to several wards brought some much needed excitement to the children, many of whom have spent long and arduous weeks or months in hospital.
However, the smiles were not reserved for the patients – the Idols were equally moved by the experience, and Nathan and Hayley, who have both spent time at Westmead Children’s Hospital in their younger years, were delighted to be able to raise the kid’s spirits for a morning.
This visit came just two days after the Idols brought the house down with their rendition of Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ at Sony Foundation's Wharf4Ward event held at Sydney’s Woolloomooloo Wharf. The event raised a staggering $300,000 to help build specialised cancer wards for teens and young adults throughout Australia.
In March 2009, Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer hosted the Flood & Fire Benefit at Astral Restaurant, Star City in conjunction with Sony Foundation, raising well in excess of $200,000 for the young victims of the fire and floods which devastated Queensland and Victoria.
Lucas Neill proudly became a formal Ambassador, following this initial introduction to the work of Sony Foundation. Now he and the Foundation have teamed up with CanTeen to champion a cause that is aimed at improving survival outcomes for young Australians facing cancer.
After leading his Socceroos side out against the Netherlands at Sydney Football Stadium on 10 October, Socceroo Captain Lucas used his very limited time off the next morning to meet CanTeen members Linton and Camille Fyfe, and Frank and Mark Aboona, for a photo shoot with OK! magazine.
Lucas surprised the teenagers by presenting each with an official Socceroo jersey and football, happily posing for photos and autographing each gift with a personal message. The young fans also got an opportunity to show off their own skills by trying out some headers with Lucas, or challenging him by way of their own fancy footwork with the round ball.
All this fun was underlined by a serious message which Lucas wants the whole nation to get behind.
“One in 100 Australians is diagnosed with cancer by the age of 30. Our mission is to raise $15 million in the next 5 years and establish a cancer service for 15 to 30 year olds right across the country.It’s not fair that kids have to be put through this,” he says of the CanTeen members. “But then you see them go on to be doctors, scientists and professional sportspeople, and all the things that cancer might deny them the opportunity to do if we don’t help them.”
With cancer the leading cause of disease-related death amongst Australia’s teenagers, there is an obvious and urgent need for action. Working together with CanTeen, The Australian Organisation for Young People Living with Cancer, Sony Foundation’s long term aim is to fund the establishment of teen and young adult cancer wards throughout the country. These wards will address the lack of improvement in cancer survival for this age group, by providing a focus for collaboration amongst medical professionals, facilitating the development of clinical trials, encouraging specialist training and allowing for the delivery of a psychosocial support service equipped to deal with the issues specific to this age group.
One of our first fundraising efforts will see a range of supporters gather at Woolloomooloo Wharf on 29 October for Wharf4Ward, a new event on the Foundation’s calendar.
Despite having to return to the UK to play football for Everton alongside best friend and fellow Sony Foundation Ambassador, Tim Cahill, Lucas has pledged his support for Wharf4Ward by auctioning his first autographed Everton strip since signing with the EPL club. He and Tim are also offering up an exclusive meet and greet with the Socceroo stars on the eve of the 2010 World Cup which will be one of many special prizes on offer at this signature, sold-out event.
For more images of the OK! Magazine shoot with Lucas Neill, please view our photo gallery.
Sony Foundation is proud to be amongst the first to embrace new mobile phone technology, by delivering an innovative donation service to their many loyal supporters. The Foundation has partnered with gomeeki, a leading Australian interactive technology agency, integrating their sophisticated mobile payments solution into the campaign to enable supporters to make payments through their mobile devices using PayPal or major credit / debit cards.
In the meantime we are also launching a new campaign, ‘Buy-a-Builder’, a fundraising mechanism that asks people to buy a customisable virtual builder (or avatar) and send him/her to work in an effort to raise funds to build age appropriate wards to treat teenage and young adult cancer patients.
Sony Foundation Executive Director, Dr Louise Messara says “Buy-a-Builder is Sony Foundation’s public call to action. We wanted something that gives people a tangible sense of what their contribution is a part of, no matter how big or small their donation is. With gomeeki’s help we are able to reach the very age group we are aiming to provide better cancer services for – the teen and young adult market, for whom mobile devices are the communication tool of choice. This technology will make donating an interactive experience, allowing Australian to donate wherever and whenever they wish.”
The public can access the Buy-a-Builder program via website, mobile phone or by purchasing a donation card in store at Sony Centres. All mechanisms will drive supporters of the initiative to the website www.buyabuilder.com.au. This site, set up as a virtual construction site, allows the public to create a unique ‘virtual brickie’ or ‘virtual chippie’ etc, in their own image. These builders will then join the army of supporters, whose donations are contributing to building teenage and young adult cancer wards around the country.
For more details on the Buy-A-Builder campaign, see www.buyabuilder.com.au or to make a donation via our mobile donation service. SMS ‘Donate” to 193 123. SMS cost $1.10. Help number 1800 444 407.
March saw Socceroo stars Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer join forces with Sony Foundation Australia to stage a black tie benefit dinner in support of the bushfire and flood disasters that ravaged Victoria and Queensland in early 2009.
Following the resounding success of the Fire & Flood Benefit, Lucas and Tim have become closely involved with our other programs and are now proud to strengthen that association by joining a growing list of official Sony Foundation Ambassadors. This exciting affiliation places them alongside other notable Australians from entertainment, business and sport, including John Eales AM, Mark Taylor AO and Dr John D’Arcy.
The role will see Lucas and Tim aid in raising our profile as we take the Foundation’s innovative youth programs into the public domain and actively engage the Australian public in our fundraising activities and campaigns.
“As a young player trying to make it in the world of football, having someone support, invest and believe in my potential helped me rise to the top of my game. Improving opportunities for other young Australians is therefore really close to my heart.In joining as an Ambassador for Sony Foundation, I can witness firsthand the teamwork that has proven so successful in developing talent and improving outcomes for youth who find themselves in situations less fortunate than me. The power of Sony Foundation to transform young lives across so many areas of life is remarkable and something I’m proud to be actively involved with in my home country,” said Lucas, Captain of the Socceroos.
As the first team to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the Socceroos have a punishing calendar of matches to complete in the lead up to the biggest sporting event across the globe. Despite their busy international and Club match schedule, both athletes have pledged support for our three major charity beneficiaries by agreeing to join us for several Sony Foundation signature events during the next year.
We are delighted to welcome Lucas and Tim to the Sony Foundation family where they join many other accomplished Australians who so generously donate their time in support of our many important youth programs.
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