Partnerships that stand the test of time: BOC and Redkite

Leading gas and engineering company BOC, a subsidiary of Linde plc, was the first corporate to partner with children’s cancer support charity Redkite, back in 1998. Even at that time, BOC was a pioneer in corporate social responsibility and staff engagement, demonstrating a deep commitment to community through supporting Redkite families across Australia.

Today the partnership is stronger than ever and has made a real impact on childhood cancer support in Australia, helping fund critical emotional and mental health support, financial assistance, and information and resources to help families throughout the long and traumatic cancer experience. Over the 23-year partnership, BOC has raised more than $2.4 million for Redkite.

“Redkite and BOC have always had a similar philosophy, based on providing practical help when it’s most needed, as well as a deep commitment to community and looking after families who are doing it tough,” said Monique Keighery, Redkite’s CEO.

“BOC’s generosity over the years has helped us achieve significant change that has made a real impact on the lives of children and their families,” she added.

BOC offers an innovative employee giving program, Hero time, which allows team members to take leave and donate the leave pay for those hours to Redkite. Employees are also encouraged to take part in Redkite fundraisers, such as Redkite’s first national Sun-Up Challenge, for which BOC was headline sponsor.

In 2020, during the COVID pandemic, BOC implemented a virtual Wellbeing Event. Employees around the country pledged to complete a physical activity and BOC matched their entry fees and paid $5 for every kilometre completed. The Wellbeing Event was such a success that it ran again in 2021, this time with BOC paying $1 for every minute completed. BOC raised more than $25,000 for Redkite through this initiative alone.

One particularly passionate employee is Melbourne-based Andrew Wesley, Reliability and Improvement Manager, BOC South Pacific (image to the left). The keen triathlete and kayaker has undertaken some amazing personal challenges for a good cause, including the New York Marathon.

In his words:

Life is about the memories and friendships you make along the way and fundraising for Redkite via the NYC Marathon has given me some of the very best. Not just the event but the people I met and interacted with along the way. People from Redkite, from within my local community, and within BOC who have all been amazing in their generosity, support and sincerity.

The fundraising gave me an additional purpose. It made me feel valued, appreciated, and filled me with an enormous amount of gratitude.

Redkite provides such tangible and essential support to families as everything is dropped to focus on their sick child. I’m very fortunate not to have experienced it firsthand, but I have seen Redkite in action and the difference the organisation makes to affected young people and their families.

BOC makes it easy to continue to support Redkite with initiatives such as Hero time and matched workplace giving through payroll. It is a great program which benefits both Redkite and employees, who receive the positive emotional benefits from contributing to and supporting such an awesome charity.

To me, a strong community is one where everyone contributes to improving the quality of life in that community and everyone has something to offer. Without a thriving community, we are unlikely to have a thriving workplace.

BOC acknowledges and appreciates the benefits of a strong and thriving community through their community engagement projects and supports all employees in making a positive contribution.