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MRL commits $10M to Telethon to improve the health of WA children and young people

 

Mineral Resources (MRL) is supporting the future health and happiness of Western Australian children by extending its support of Telethon with a $10 million commitment over the next five years.

From state-of-the-art hospital equipment and critical services for children with disabilities to life-changing opportunities for disadvantaged youth, together we’re helping Telethon deliver brighter futures for WA kids.

MRL’s five-year commitment will help ensure more children have access to services and support when and where they’re needed.

MRL Managing Director, Chris Ellison, said extending our support of Telethon reinforces MRL’s commitment to caring for the people and communities where we operate.

“We’re a proud WA company employing over 5,000 local people and their families, many with young children,” Ellison said.

“Mineral Resources has a rich history supporting organisations and initiatives that build healthier, happier communities which is why we’re committed to investing in the long-term wellbeing of the youngest and often most vulnerable in our communities.”

Making a difference in our home state

Our ongoing support of Telethon is already helping a range of worthwhile beneficiaries to discover causes, cures and treatments for illnesses affecting children and young people in WA, and to restore their capacity to thrive.

Wheels For Hope
Over the past three years, MRL funding has supported Wheels for Hope, one of WA’s largest wheelchair-accessible vehicle fleets, in providing life-changing mobility for children with disability and their families.

Our contribution assists with running costs (insurance, service, licensing and maintenance) and helps keep 40 wheelchair-accessible vans on the road – so families have safe and reliable transport to medical and therapy appointments, school, community, leisure and family activities.

 

Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre
The Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre provides programs and services to support those impacted by this complex, challenging and often misunderstood condition.

With MRL’s backing, the Family Centre currently assists more than 1,900 WA families with education and support services to help them avoid devastating health complications and live life to the full.

 

Yawardani Jan-ga (via Telethon Kids Institute)
Yawardani Jan-ga is a Kimberley-based equine-assisted learning research program established and managed by Professor Juli Coffin through the Telethon Kid’s Institute. It provides trauma-informed, culturally secure and strengths-based support to Aboriginal children and young people.

As the program’s Principal Partner, MRL has also supported the Yawardani Jan-ga team to acquire a four-horse float with sleeping facilities for staff – helping deliver the program to more places across remote WA.

 

Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation
Our ongoing partnership with Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation supports life-changing programs at Perth Children’s Hospital:

Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre
The Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre is a powerhouse partnership between Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and Perth Children’s Hospital. It’s the global epicentre for paediatric respiratory research, informing clinical practice and driving a new research agenda for childhood lung health with a goal of healthy lungs for every child for life.

The Centre is home to the BREATH team (Building Respiratory Equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health), which aims to optimise lung health in early life and help reduce the burden of chronic lung disease in Aboriginal communities.

 

Early Moves
The Early Moves study is helping researchers better recognise developmental difficulties early in babies, so intervention can be provided in the first year of life-supporting significantly improved outcomes for children and families.Participants receive an early screening for risk of cerebral palsy through a video assessment at 12-17 weeks, and a full developmental assessment of babies at two years of age.

The project is implemented in partnership with Curtin University, with participants recruited from The ORIGINS Project and St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals.

 

Move to Improve Research Program
One in five Australian children live with a chronic disease.Many face significant barriers

Move to Improve Co-Lead Professor Elizabeth Davis with research participant Mary Rogers.

to the healing power of physical activity, such as low confidence and self-esteem, lack of access to appropriate physical activity providers, and fear over how to manage their health condition during exercise in front of their peers. This can have serious consequences for their long-term health and mental wellbeing.

MRL will be supporting a new three-stage multidisciplinary research project that will build evidence required to establish Australia’s first purpose-built clinical exercise service at Perth Children’s Hospital for children with chronic disease and serious illnesses such as cancer, cerebral palsy, burns and diabetes.

Clinical Centre of Expertise for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases in Children

Patient Lily is under the care of Prof Gareth Baynam and the Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases Program.

We’re excited to help speed up the journey from diagnosis through to care for the 63,000 WA children and their families living with rare diseases, reducing anxiety and uncertainty.The establishment of a world-first Centre of Expertise for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases in Children in Perth, to become a leader in a globally connected network.

The Centre will improve awareness and early identification of children with rare conditions and deliver more coordinated care for children with rare and undiagnosed diseases, including focusses on mental and Aboriginal health.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Equipment
With MRL’s support, three pieces of advanced life-enhancing equipment were made available to the Perth Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which supports critically ill babies to receive faster and safer treatment.

Giving back to the WA community

Extending our support of Telethon reinforces MRL’s commitment to supporting the WA community through charitable donations and long-term partnerships that help the most vulnerable and make a difference in people’s lives.

As a proud WA company employing over 5,000 staff – many who work in remote communities with young families of their own – we’re delighted to get behind programs that help drive positive social and emotional wellbeing outcomes for vulnerable children, young people and families.

For more information on MRL’s partnerships, head to our Community page or read our 2021 Sustainability Report.