Coles is driving local fundraising in the Avon Valley for families affected by cancer this Christmas as many are also struggling with spiralling costs of living.
Thanks to its partnership with Redkite, Coles will launch a five-week Christmas campaign to help families pay for rising household bills, medical and travel expenses.
Western Australian families have faced a 31 per cent hike in the cost of medical and hospital services and a 17 per cent increase in utility costs over the past five years.
From 1 November to 4 December, shoppers can purchase $2 donation cards at Coles and Coles Express sites in Avon Valley with 100 per cent of funds going directly to Redkite.
Redkite provides essential support to children and young people with cancer (aged 24 and under) and their families from diagnosis, throughout treatment, and after treatment ends
Redkite CEO Monique Keighery said financial support was even more vital for many families this year who also faced higher travel, medical and living costs after a cancer diagnosis.
“This time of year is especially challenging for children with cancer and their families, with many families needing to take time off work to be at their child's bedside,” she said.
“Cancer doesn’t stop for Christmas, and between Christmas and New Year, around 30 families’ lives will be shattered by the news that their child has cancer.”.
And for the first time, Coles has developed a new range of Redkite Christmas products – from a Belgian choc pop to a plush toy, mug, sticker book, Christmas cards and more – with funds going directly to Redkite including 20 cents from the sale of every $1 Coles Gingerbread, Elf and Reindeer biscuits.
Coles State General Manager Pat Zanetti said Coles was delighted to expand its Christmas appeal to include a new range of festive products and treats, providing more ways for customers to support Redkite this Christmas.
“Cancer touches the hearts of so many of our customers and team members so we want to give our customers the opportunity to show their support for families in need,” he said.
“In addition to our popular gingerbread biscuits and festive $2 donation cards at the checkouts, we’re pleased to launch a brand new range of festive merchandise to help increase awareness and raise much- needed funds for Redkite to continue offering essential services to families in our local communities.”
