My community involvement, donations and fundraising
Throughout my life I have been the beneficiary of many people donating their time to volunteer organisations. For example my skills in, and passion for, public speaking are almost all attributable to both The Old Nick Company (the student theatre society at the University of Tasmania) and Toastmasters International whose respective members have devoted many unpaid hours to my development.
In this spirit of giving, through my business RossClennett.com, I regularly donate to three community organisations whose aims I fully endorse.
These organisations are:
The National Breast Cancer Foundation
My sister, Mary, died in London (UK) on 18th of January 2012 at the age of 44. Four years previously, she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the best medical advice and care and Mary’s optimism and fighting spirit, she lost the battle with this terrible disease that claimed her life.
Mary’s husband of 17 years, Sam, is now left to raise their two children Ned (aged 11) and Lola (9) by himself. Ned and Lola will grow up without their mother’s love and guidance and at such tender ages, and as time moves on, they are likely to have little memory of their own experiences with their mother.
My parents, Betty and Tony have lost a wonderful, caring daughter and my sisters, Anne and Jill, and I, have lost a very dear, loving sister.
In memory of my sister, my family and I are committed to raising awareness of breast cancer and also to raising funds for breast cancer research.
Each year my family and I participate in the Mother’s Day Classic, a national walk and run which is held on Mother’s Day, for the purpose of raising money for breast cancer research.
Since 2012, thanks to 533 donors across 6 fundraising campaigns, I have raised $42,882 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation
Since 2014, I am honoured to be among a small group of people invited by the MDC organisers to be a Community Champion for MDC.
The Surf Life Saving Foundation
Since 1907, surf lifesavers have volunteered their time and effort to provide a dedicated lifesaving service around Australia. The Surf Life Saving Foundation is the fundraising body for Surf Life Saving in Australia. The SLSF relies heavily on the support from the community to continue providing a vital service in keeping our beaches safe.
When I lived in Sydney I was an active patrol member of the Narrabeen Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
I am no longer an active surf lifesaver but I make a monthly donation to the Surf Life Saving Foundation to support the fantastic work they do each summer in saving lives around the country.
The Smith Family Learning for Life Program
Which supports disadvantaged children and young people all the way through their education, from pre-school and primary school, to senior school and on to tertiary studies, if they choose. I currently sponsor three students through a monthly donation.