Our history

25 years of service

The Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children in Australia (now Redkite) was founded in New South Wales in August 1983.

In the early years, the primary support provided was financial grants and practical assistance. Since then we have introduced new services to meet the needs of our children and families, such as funding social workers in hospital, scholarships and education grants, music therapy, bereavement support, family activity days and community support services. In 2005, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia merged, joined by Victoria in 2007, to become a single organisation.

Redkite - an exciting new identity

In 2004 we chose an exciting new identity. Many supporters and volunteers had expressed the opinion that the old name was long and complicated and did not to reflect the important work that we do. In addition, Sir Malcolm Sargent in whose name the charity was founded, is deeply respected by a notable few but is unknown to many.

In the interests of expanding our ability to provide equality of care to all young Australians, a new name was sought – one that would better reflect the positive effect our services have, whilst providing a simple, memorable, and visually distinctive identity with which supporters could identify.

After exhaustive research and creative development, Redkite was chosen as the new name for The Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children in Australia. It is positive, uplifting and symbolises the long and unpredictable ‘journey’ that our organisation helps guide the children and their families along. Redkite is lively and memorable but also reflects the core values and heritage of the charity’s roots.

We are very proud of our heritage and throughout this process we have been particularly careful to ensure that the memory of Malcolm Sargent is respected. Our legal name remains The Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children in Australia and two of our key activities will continue to provide a wonderful link to Malcolm Sargent – Music-a-thon and Music Therapy.

Sir Malcom Sargent

The great man who inspired the founding of our organisation, Sir Malcolm Sargent, was a brilliant pianist, organist and internationally renowned conductor, who often directed his support and concern to children and young people.

For many years he conducted the famous Promenade concerts at London’s Albert Hall but his musical influence went far beyond Britain. In 1936 he toured Australia for the first time and thereafter maintained a lifelong interest in the country and its people. He made several more visits before his death from cancer in 1967.

His long time secretary and unofficial manager Sylvia Darley OBE founded the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children (now CLIC Sargent) in the UK in 1968 in his memory.