SA Minister for Mineral Resources Development Paul Holloway has endorsed this year’s World’s Greatest Shave Mine Challenge — the first time the Leukaemia Foundation has extended this fundraising event to South Australia.
“I would like to encourage all those within the mining and associated industries, their friends and families to provide their support for World’s Greatest Shave Mine Challenge,” Holloway said.
“Workers in South Australia’s mineral resources industry for the first time will have an opportunity to join their colleagues in Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales to dig deep and raise funds for a very important cause.”
Funds raised in the 2008 Mining Challenge will be used to support South Australians impacted by leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders through projects such as:
- free patient services including information and resources, education and support programs, transportation to and from treatment, ‘home away from home’ accommodation close to major hospitals for regional and rural South Australians
- practical assistance including financial support and emotional support; and
- research grants to leading South Australians to develop better treatments and cures.
Mining companies won’t be the only ones encouraging their workforce to shave their heads or colour their hair to raise money to fund research into a cure for Leukaemia.
“The World’s Greatest Shave Mine Challenge highlights the human face of Australia’s mineral resources industry,” Holloway said.
“This fund raising event for the Leukaemia Foundation is a reminder that amid the ongoing mining boom that has brought so much prosperity to this country that there’s nothing more important than the community’s health and well being.”
The Leukaemia Foundation will formally launch South Australia’s inclusion in the World’s Greatest Shave Mine Challenge at a 6 February ceremony in Adelaide to be attended by Minister Holloway and industry representatives.