Faʻafeiloaʻi i Welcome to our quaterly newsletter. Continue reading to find out about our recent endeavours, future activities and opportunities for you to join us in supporting families living with childhood cancer. |
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It's been a while. If you are receiving our email for the first time, we are reaching out to supporters/donors, friends of the foundation and the many families we have supported along the way. We began 2024 With our annual T20 Cricket Match between the Abbey Allstars and VicPolice. We are grateful to the Sunshine Heights Cricket Team community and VicPolice for their continued support of our foundation. This partnership embodies everything Abbey loved, bringing people together and having fun. Read more about the match later in the newsletter. We are Delighted to Acknowledge Two amazing families who have supported our foundation with generous donations in the names of loved ones who have passed. Henry was 8 years old and Claudia was 101, Henry lived in rural Victoria and Claudia in Milan. Both families saw something special in the work we do, and we are grateful for that. Read more about them later in the newsletter. June 29, Save the Date For our second Trivia night. Last year over 150 came along for a great night of fun and quizzing. So gather up your family, friends and work colleagues and make up a table or two for this year's big night. Online reservations available by scanning the QR code later in the newsletter. AbSTAR Youth Committee Are dedicating their work this year to helping children directly. Made up of young people aged 4 to 18 years, they are the very embodiment of Abbey's vision. In the first four months this year A+ have forwarded over $3000 in fuel and Uber vouchers, $3000 in supermarket vouchers, 16 nights emergency/respite accommodation at the Larwill Studio Apartments, assisted 3 families with costs of funerals and provided over 300 parking exit vouchers for families. None of this is possible without your support. Thank you. We are looking forward to 2024Our 9th year as a foundation helping families in significant ways. We invite you to stay in touch, support us where you can, and be mindful that in a world that challenges us in so many ways, small acts of kindness make such a huge difference in others' lives. "We shape our self
to fit this world and by the world
are shaped again. The visible
and the invisible working together
in common cause, to produce
the miraculous." David Whyte, Working Together Gerard Broadfoot
President
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Our New Website Has Launched |
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We are so very grateful to Monica Cook of KOOCM and Nathan Sturgess of Take2 for their generosity, creativity and pro bono work in designing our new website. EXPLORE, and let us know what you think.
Monica has poured her heart into countless weeks and long hours of pro bono work, dedicating herself to setting up this new platform. It's a testament to her commitment to sharing our vision and offering support to families navigating childhood cancer. Her efforts are truly extraordinary. In our last meeting before going live, Monica said she loves designing with purpose and that "It's been a privilege to do what I can do to make your story and message shine" We are thankful for that. |
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Henry was diagnosed with BCell ALL on November 22. He absolutely loved his motorbikes and friends and family held a special ‘Ride for Henry” in 2022 to help him and his family. Shortly after Henry's passing in April 2023, his family held their 2nd "Ride for Henry" day, raising over $3600 and incredibly, have gifted that amount to our foundation, in appreciation for providing accommodation at the Larwill when Henry was in ICU. We are deeply grateful, and wish for Naomi and Scott & Ochre, Zadie, and Emma, and all of Henry’s family and friends to know that their kindness is what inspires us to keep going. We know that Henry and Abbey would have been Best Friends Forever. |
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Grazie Signora Claudia Moglia |
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Last week we received a call from Elena Rhodes, inquiring about the work we do. It was her mother's wish to support a small foundation who worked with young children and their families. We are delighted to acknowledge Claudia's gift of $20,000 to our foundation. We are beyond grateful. Here are Elena's words about her beautiful mother Here she is! My lovely Mum as I like to remember her. Her name is Claudia Moglia and she lived in Milano (Italy). After her death, at the age of 101, we discovered a letter to us, her daughters, in which she was asking for us to make a gift in her name to a foundation/charity of our choice that was involved with children and their families in need of relief and support.
I am sure she would be well pleased with my finding the Abbey Solo Foundation! Mum has always been a decisive, capable, clear minded woman with a very generous heart. Close at all times to her family and very helpful in times of crisis.
Not particularly flexible in her attitude and opinions: things were black or white, right or wrong…and I trust that this time I have really got it right. She would have let me know if not!
With loving thoughts, Elena
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Our amazing committee and volunteers met up in Portarlington in January to celebrate a wonderful 2023. A highlight was catching up with Dr Keith Waters and his wife, Heather. Keith was Abbey's Oncologist and cared for Abbey throughout her Leukemia journey, they were an inspiration to each other. Another highlight was having Abbey's grandmother, Makerita, over from New Zealand with us. |
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We were saddened to hear of the sudden death of Harold Mitchell in February this year. Harold was a giant among the business and philanthropic worlds and two Harold Mitchell Foundation grants in 2022 and 2023 have enabled us to reach out to so many more families in need, we are grateful for that. |
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Saturday 29 June Join the us on Saturday June 29 for our 2nd Annual Trivia Night. Bring your family, friends, and colleagues together for a fun-filled event where we'll test your knowledge with thrilling quizzes and challenges. Take a peek at the photos below to see the joy and laughter from last year's festivities! Tickets are priced at $30 per person, or you can reserve a table for 10 to ensure you and your group have a fantastic time. BYO drinks and snacks to keep the energy high throughout the night. Let's make memories while making a difference. See you there! Scan the QR code or CLICK HERE to book your tickets. |
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4th Annual T20 AbSTAR Cricket Match |
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Now in it’s fourth year, the T20 match brings together the Victoria Police Cricket Club and Sunshine Heights Cricket Club (SHCC) to celebrate the spirit and generosity of Abbey Solo. |
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Our 2024 T20 cricket match was played on February 6 at the home of SHCC. We remain grateful to both these wonderful clubs for their continued support of and generosity towards our foundation. |
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Zahra - Our Very Own Superhero |
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We were delighted to have Zahra to toss the coin to start our 2024 T20. Zahra’s journey with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) started when her family took her to the Emergency at RCH after noting she had been unwell and not herself. Within half an hour of a blood test, Anna was told that Zahra’s haemoglobin level was 7– the lowest they had ever seen in someone who was still alive. After the diagnosis, Zahra and her family spent Christmas, New Year, and Zahra’s 3rd birthday isolated in hospital for a life saving bone marrow transplant. Zahra has shown immense resilience, determination and strength. You can follow Zahra's journey here @fightlikezahra |
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Congratulations U13 superstar, Izzan Abbas, joint Man of the Match for Sunshine Heights Cricket Club |
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Congratulations Altaf Hussain, joint Man of the Match for VicPolice Cricket Club |
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We couldn't do it without these two champions who have been with us from the very start. Highly regarded and equally valued, Gary Houston and Lou Tenace always give of their time so genourously. |
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Captain of the Vic Police team, Steven Oates receiving the Match Trophy from Claire for the first time. So grateful to Steven, Kieren Rodgers and all the team at VicPolice Cricket. |
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Abbey Solo Award - Mother of God School |
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Selihom Mulugeta Abbey passed away when she was in Year 3 at Mother of God School. Each year at Abbey's old school, the Abbey Solo Award is presented to a Yr 3 student who represents those values most admired in Abbey. The 2023 recipient was Selihom Mulugeta, who along with her family, recently arrived in Australia. How lucky are we to have new arrivals like Selihom. |
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AbSTAR Youth Committee - Kids Supporting Kids |
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The AbSTAR Youth Committee (AYC) gathered for their first 2024 meeting on Saturday April 14. With input from Novalie, a member of our AYC and someone who is going through her own cancer journey, it was decided that they would direct their 2024 fundraising to supporting children directly with an annual Disney subscription or $150 voucher for the in-house Woolworths store at the hospital to spend on themselves. |
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Meet the AbSTAR Committee |
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Introducing three of our AbSTAR Youth Committee members, we will introduce more of the youth committee in future newsletters. |
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Meet the PresidentOlivia, 17 17 year old Olivia was a close friend of Abbey's. Born just 1 day apart, they spent their childhood years together. Olivia has many memories of her time with Abbey and was a frequent visitor at the RCH whilst Abbey was undergoing treatment. Olivia, 17 Olivia was there for the very first launch of the Abbey Solo Foundation and now enjoys being an active part of the Youth Committee and aiding in the support of families with children who have cancer. Olivia is in year 11 and enjoys studying pieces of literature in school, and swimming at the beach. She also enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family. |
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Meet the Vice PresidentNovalie, 10 10 year old Novalie has been a leukaemia patient at RCH since she was 5 years old. This is how she got to know the Abbey Solo Foundation and she saw how their support makes a difference to families every day. Novalie, 10 Novalie is in grade 4 and has many passions including art, musical theatre, singing, and playing the violin. She also loves swimming and the beach. Novalie runs a business (@BeeBraveCards) where she sells her greeting cards and other creations. She enjoys giving back to help other kids with cancer. |
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Meet the Vice PresidentElla, 17 Ella is 17 years old, and shared a very special friendship with Abbey. Ella and Abbey had met through their mothers' group when they were just 3 months old, and grew to be best friends. They went to the same primary G school and spent many days together whilst Abbey was undergoing treatment. Ella, 17 They shared the same interests such as doing arts & crafts, singing along to their favourite songs and playing with Shopkins, just to name a few! These memories are very dear to Ella and will forever be cherished. Ella is honoured to be part of this committee and to be part of bringing Abbeys vision to life. Ella enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, singing, and loves cooking and baking. |
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Look out for AbSTAR events on our socials. |
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AbSTAR Ambassador School Program |
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We first reached out to school communities in 2022 inviting them to have a day where they highlight the challenges that young children and families face when with a diagnosis of cancer as well as raising important funds for our foundation. To date, together the schools have raised over $6500. We now have 6 schools on board from Abbey's own school in Ardeer to an International school in Tokyo. If you are a part of a school community and would like to get involved, contact us on 0403 192 594 or email president@abbeysolofoundation.org |
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Saturday May 11
A+ Sausage Sizzle
Come down for a snag Bunnings West Footscray | | |
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Saturday June 15
A+ Sausage Sizzle
Come down for a snag Bunnings West Footscray | | |
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Sunday December 1 Barefoot Bowls End of year celebration Flemington Kensington Bowling Club | | |
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If you would like to know more about us, volunteer or become a sponsor, we would be pleased to hear from you. You can call on 0403 192 594 or email at president@abbeysolofoundation.org | | |
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