EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES THROUGH CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP

By partnering with the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, Coates – Australia’s leading equipment hire and solutions provider – are enabling employees and branches from across Australia to be a part of meaningful change.

For over 10 years, Coates has touched on in-kind support with Humpty through operational infrastructure at the annual Balmoral Burn. When, in November 2021, the Coates Foundation was launched, Coates found a way to provide strategy and structure to the company’s philanthropic work, increasing their impact within the communities in which they operate.

A significant part of the Foundation’s strategy is to engage its employees to support their social responsibility efforts.

According to CEO Murray Vitlich: ‘Engagement with the community is at the heart of this business … We want our organisation and employees to consistently learn, understand and commit to assisting with the varied and ongoing challenges that the communities we work within face by making a constructive and lasting difference.’

And recently, Coates employees had an opportunity to experience the pride that comes with making a tangible difference within the community.

Mt Isa Base Hospital hosted Queensland North Regional Manager Tim Fowler and Mt Isa Branch Manager Tane Iwikau for a tour to see a piece of equipment recently donated through the Coates Foundation in tandem with Humpty. Both employees were absolutely blown away by the experience.

‘I was personally filled with pride to think we as a company take the time, effort and money to assist these amazing hospital staff that work tirelessly to ensure these little guys get the best start in life,’ said Tim.

The equipment donated was a Bilisoft Phototherapy System, a machine that helps detect jaundice in neonates. Jaundice occurs in approximately 50% of full-term and 80% of pre-term babies in their first week of life. It is often an indication of underlying symptoms. Therefore, screening babies efficiently and effectively is vital in preventing the development of life-threatening conditions. This equipment will help the Special Care Nursery at Mount Isa Hospital to keep local families together while babies receive treatment.

And, as Tane Iwikau personally discovered, sometimes community support comes full circle.

‘Where (the Bilisoft Phototherapy System) is situated is called the Special Care Unit, and when my son was born, he had to spend his first 48 hours in that unit. So, you can see how this has a 360 effect and may one day aid in helping one of Coates own employees!’

Corporate partnerships are a win-win for businesses, employees and charities such as the Humpty Dumpty Foundation. As Humpty’s Founder and Chairman Paul Francis OAM puts it: ‘It is only with the support of generous donors like Coates that the Humpty Dumpty Foundation can make a real difference. Now more than ever, it’s important to us that we continue to support hospitals and health services right across the country.’