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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-06-05 Daily Xml
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EDGE CHURCH

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (15:10): Last Friday night, I was privileged to represent the Premier at a really special event in my electorate in Old Reynella. At the function, the Edge Church made a surprise presentation to the Childhood Cancer Association of a cheque for $60,000 towards its great work. I think association CEO Cath O'Loughlin and President Chris Hartley were stunned to say the least when Edge Church Senior Minister Danny Guglielmucci handed them the cheque in front of about 800 people, many of whom had helped to raise the money.

I am sure this money means a lot to a great organisation whose mission is to provide ongoing and practical hands-on support for children living with cancer and their families. The Childhood Cancer Association was formed in 1982 by a group of parents of children with cancer. Quoting from its website, the association 'is South Australia's key childhood cancer support organisation, dedicated to providing emotional, practical and financial support to families in need'. This support is delivered via a range of services, including peer and family support, sibling support, free accommodation to country families, respite accommodation, financial assistance, educational assistance and bereavement services. This is such important work and is a vital support to those children and families who face the toughest of battles.

In 2012, 54 children, ranging from babies through to teenagers, were newly diagnosed with cancer in South Australia. In addition, 13 children relapsed and seven children lost their battle with cancer. Because of those children and their families, Edge Church has worked in partnership with the Childhood Cancer Association since 2009. Steve Webster, the general manager of the church's community service arm, called Edge Assist, said that the CCA's focus on 'hands-on help in going through a very personal journey, along with those children with cancer and their families' made it very different from many cancer charities.

For the past four years, the church has shown support to the Childhood Cancer Association in a variety of ways. Approximately 150 Edge volunteers renovated the CCA's units at Prospect, which houses families whose children are in long-term care. I understand that was officially opened by the member for Florey. Church members have also teamed up to renovate the association's office facilities. Annually, since 2009, Edge has hosted a fantastic magical Christmas fair for the children affected by childhood cancer.

The church raised approximately $53,000 of the money donated to the CCA at a gala ball in April, with more than 320 guests. Business sponsors and suppliers made the donation possible with their generous support of the fundraiser, while well-renowned jazz trumpeter James Morrison also gave his time and talents without charge.

Next year, the Edge Church aims to raise $100,000 at its gala ball to donate to the Childhood Cancer Association. It is an incredible commitment for a church, albeit a large one, to make, but I have every confidence that they will achieve their aim. Steve Webster summed up why the church has been working with CCA and why it is keen to make such a pledge for the future. He said:

We are here to serve the community, not here to live within our four walls. For us, it's not about looking at our own needs, it's about looking at the needs of those we can help.

It is a splendid inspiring motto by which to operate. I congratulate the Edge Church and Edge Assist for their commitment to helping others in our community, and I thank the Childhood Cancer Association for everything they do for these precious children and their families.

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