We undertake a range of activities to assist people, the environment and the wider community in which we operate. We have focused on education, health, the environment, overcoming both physical and economic disadvantage, and cultural inclusiveness. Senior executives champion specific initiatives and employees are encouraged to introduce programs that align with our values and objectives. Our overall goal is to promote good health and wellbeing, champion gender equality, to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and to promote lifelong learning.
Link Group sees working together to raise money for a good cause as a great way of building team unity and helping the community. One of the causes closest to our hearts is Steptember, the global charity that asks individuals to take 10,000 steps a day for 28 days to raise money for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Over 170 Link Group teams took part in the Steptember 2016 event, walking a total of 146 million steps – the equivalent of nearly three times around the planet.
They raised significant funds for cerebral palsy research, including some $58,000 in Australia alone. The Company was fifth on the Australian leadership board and was placed in the top 10 in most countries where it took part.
Link Group’s efforts had special meaning for Fund Administration Account Manager, Peter Komninos, who recorded 780,000 steps. “My daughter is a special needs child,” he said. “We find that charity programs like Steptember not only raise funds for services and support, but also empathy and respect for those living with a disability.”
Link Group is dedicated to Corporate social responsibility (CSR) through the support of community initiatives. We extended our giving program in FY2017 with the addition of such charities as Landcare Australia, the GO Foundation and the Humpty Dumpty Foundation. Our initiatives include cash donations, a charitable giving program for employees where contributions are matched by the Company for certain events, and volunteer leave for employees to volunteer at charities of their choice.
Some of the charities and causes we assisted in FY2017 are:
The Foundation is a children's charity that, for more than 27 years, has been purchasing essential and often life-saving medical equipment for sick and injured children in paediatric wards, neonatal units, maternity and emergency departments in hospitals across Australia. Our people take part in a range of fundraising and awareness activities including the Balmoral Burn in support of the Foundation.
Link Group has been a long-time supporter of this annual Women In Super event to raise vital funds to improve both treatment and early detection of breast cancer and to honour those impacted by this disease. Link is a National Gold Sponsor of the walk/run event for the next three years (2017-2019). Our people support the cause nationally by taking part in the event or sponsoring a participating colleague. This year, we raised more than $26,000 for the Mother’s Day Classic with more than 230 Link employees, family and friends attending on the day. Fund Administration CEO Suzanne Holden is also a Mother’s Day Classic Community Ambassador.
The GO Foundation creates opportunities for Indigenous youth through education, providing scholarships and an ecosystem of support to Indigenous students at school and university. In 2018, GO will offer public school scholarships for the first time which they believe will make a big difference to Indigenous students and communities most in need. We are proud to partner with them on initiatives such as the GO Read Challenge which is a reminder that education is the game changer that can lead to brighter futures for all Indigenous Australians.
Landcare is a grassroots movement dedicated to managing environmental issues in local communities across Australia from coast to country. Link Group employees are invited to volunteer on Landcare Australia projects such as tree planting and we are working with this community partner to develop a joint program to help protect Australia’s vulnerable bee population.
