AUSTRALIA'S FINEST TO SING FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S SUPPER

Optus 'Carols for a Cause' to raise money for charities over Christmas

Optus is spreading festive joy this Christmas by throwing four free 'Carols for a Cause' pop-up events in major cities across Australia. Featuring acoustic performances from X-factor 2012 finalists The Collective in Sydney and Brisbane, Australian starlet Jessica Mauboy in Melbourne and Maori Australian recording artist Stan Walker in Adelaide, it's going to be a lyrical charge around Australia.

The Optus 'Carols for a Cause' events will feature unique busking-style shows and will help to raise much-needed funds over the holiday season for Optus' partners, Kids Helpline and The Smith Family. With the performances taking place December 10th - 14th 2012, Optus will match every dollar raised at each event.

In true Christmas spirit, the events will be free to all, with a gold coin charity donation encouraged on the day. At each event the public will be treated to acoustic renditions of their favourite Christmas carols, as well as a sampling of the artist's better-known hits with some surprises thrown in for good measure.

Aussie pop sensation and film star, Jessica Mauboy, comments: "Christmas is a joyous and exciting time for many of us, however it's important to remember that there are also a number of Australians that aren't as fortunate. I'm proud to be part of this year's Optus 'Carols for a Cause' and I hope we can make this Christmas a little easier for those in need".

Michael Smith, Managing Director of Marketing at Optus also said, "Optus 'Carols for a Cause' is now in its second year, and we're making this year bigger and better by visiting four cities and also giving the people of Adelaide a chance to see some top Australian acts for free."

"Optus wants to spread the Christmas joy far and wide, by not only treating Aussies to a gig from their favourite artists, but by staying committed to supporting Australian communities who need our help, especially during this time of year."

Optus will also be donating $1 from sales made via the Optus Music Store for each artist, during the week of performances to The Smith Family & Kids Helpline, inclusive of album, singles, video and ringtone downloads*. Just visit www.optusmusicstore.com to start downloading.

Fans can catch their favourite artists in the following locations: 

*Donations via the Optus Music Store will be capped at $15,000 ($1 from each item sold).

For further information, please contact:

Emma Silva, Bang PR, T: 02 9018 2222, E: emmas@bangpr.com.au
Claire McPhillips, Bang PR, T: 02 9018 2222, E: clairem@bangpr.com.au

To donate or find more information about the Optus charity partners, please visit:

Kids Helpline – www.kidshelp.com.au
The Smith Family – www.thesmithfamily.com.au

About Optus Corporate Responsibility:

Optus has a proud heritage of helping build better communities. As part of our corporate responsibility, we engage in many activities focussed on ‘giving back’. We partner with organisations that focus on assisting people in need, sustaining our environment and addressing social issues.

As a whole, Optus and our people continue to improve on past efforts, and are always working on developing new initiatives to help maximise the positive impact we have on the community.