Mack donates $100k to charity

Mack Trucks recently donated $100,000 to a Queensland cancer charity, following the auction of its limited-edition Southern Cross Titan, Goldie, last May

The Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland recently received a major boost courtesy of Mack Trucks, with the truck company handing over a cheque for $100,000 to help the charity support Queensland cancer patients and their families.

The donation follows the auction of Mack's last limited-edition Southern Cross Titan, which was won by an anonymous bidder at the Commercial Vehicle Industry Association of Queensland's 12th President's Charity Dinner, held in Brisbane last May.

Known as 'Goldie', the truck was the last of just 30 limited-edition Southern Cross Titans built by Mack to commemorate the manufacturer's 50th anniversary of truck production in Australia. The exclusive 685hp (504kW) truck features a striking gold cab and chassis, the distinctive hue paying homage to Australia's shimmering outback.

At the presentation of the cheque to the CEO of the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland, Bill Petch (pictured, left), the Vice President of Mack Trucks Australia, Dean Bestwick (pictured, right), underlined the role major business can play in supporting the communities in which they operate.

"Like us, the Leukaemia Foundation is part of the Queensland community," he said.

"It's essential that we give back to this community and there's no better way to raise funds than to auction an iconic Mack truck like Goldie.

"Cancer has touched many people within Mack and the auction was an important way for us to show our support to those who've been affected by the disease."

Also present at the handover was Barbara Hartigan, Director of Support Services in Queensland, and Ron Bolton Wood, Manager of Patient Accommodation in Queensland.

Helen Humphrey, Communications & Marketing Manager, Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland, said the funds would enable the organisation to continue with its vital work.

"This is an amazing donation," she said.

"The money will go towards research projects around the country for better treatments and, more specifically, to enable us to provide critical care and accommodation for people who come for treatment in Brisbane or Townsville.

"Treatment for leukaemia can take a long time and our patients come from all over the state, so when they get here they need a roof over their heads, financial assistance, counselling and so on, and it can all have a big financial and emotional impact on families.

"Every week 42 people are diagnosed with leukaemia in Queensland and that number is rising. As we're not supported by direct government funding, we rely on community-minded individuals and organisations like Mack."

The auction of Goldie was the latest in a long line of CVIAQ activities that have seen over $1,000,000 raised in the past 12 years.

Mack donates $100k to charity

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