OPTUS HELPS GEELONG KIDS CONNECT WITH THEIR COMMUNITY

A children's charity that provides specialist therapy for young people with cerebral palsy and brain injury will receive $5,000 in funding from Optus, as part of the Optus Connecting Communities Grant Program.

The financial support, awarded to the Kids Plus Foundation, will help special needs babies, children and teens across Geelong and the surrounding Barwon region. The not-for-profit organisation provides high quality, regular therapy that focuses on daily functioning such as communication, mobility, self care and play.

"Children with neuro physical disabilities benefit from intensive regular treatment, not only to assist the daily functional activities the rest of us take for granted, but also to help personal wellbeing and for them participate in family and social settings," Sarah Olliff, Executive Officer at Kids Plus Foundation said.

"This much appreciated grant from Optus supports Kids Plus to provide therapy places in this special program The aim of the program is to help each child to achieve developmental and functional milestones, gain independent mobility, access education and ultimately to be part of wider society," Ms Olliff said.

"Providing resources to the Kids Plus Foundation will ensure special needs children in Geelong receive regular high quality therapy that is essential to their health and wellbeing. This will significantly strengthen the self esteem of these young people and help them build a better future for themselves and within their community," Jann Kohlman, Optus Group Manager, Sponsorship and Community Programs said.

This year, Optus awarded close to $150,000 to 31 Australian not-for-profit organisations, as part of its annual Optus Connecting Communities Grants Program. The funding, of up to $5,000 per project, will help reduce social isolation for those in need and reconnect disengaged youth in the community. It is an essential part of Optus' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

In addition to the Community Grants Program, Optus supports 13 charity partners nationally, including Mission Australia, World Vision, Youth off the Streets and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Kids Helpline and The Starlight Children's Foundation.

Media contact:
Tracy Woodley
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 5302