Ricky and Rianna Ponting today made a series of announcements regarding the Ponting Foundation’s ‘Hitting Childhood Cancer for Six’ program in Tasmania.

Fresh from making a donation of $200,000 yesterday to the people of Tasmania at Invermay Park in Launceston, the Pontings today announced:
- A major fundraising event headlined by Sir Michael Parkinson to be held at Wrest Point on the evening of Thursday 20 January 2011
- A statewide donation scheme being conducted by Swisse Vitamins at chemists and other retail outlets around Tasmania
- An expanded commitment from Pure Tasmania and the Federal Group to partner on selected fundraising initiatives
- The ongoing partnership with Cricket Tasmania to support the Ponting Foundation’s ‘Run Ricky Run’ donation scheme throughout the Tasmanian cricket community
- That only three places remain in the exclusive ‘Ponting XI’, established as a team of global philanthropists – all keen cricket fans and financially supportive of the Ponting Foundation’s work in the community

“Rianna and I are very excited about today’s announcements that will support our efforts to raise in excess of $500,000 for Tasmanian children with cancer,” Ponting said.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response of Tasmanians to our program to date and the initiatives announced today will further accelerate our plans which is just fantastic,” Ponting added.

The Pontings made the trip to Tasmania this weekend despite Ricky’s retirement from international Twenty20 cricket. He took time out from his busy schedule to:
- Present $200,000 to the people of Tasmania represented by the Premier of Tasmania, David Bartlett for distribution to the Launceston General Hospital and Royal Hobart Hospital
- Catch up with a group of aspiring cricketers in Launceston as part of his visit yesterday
- Officially launch the Swisse fundraising initiative at a private lunchtime function in Hobart
- Participate in the launch of a new Ricky Ponting exhibition in the Tasmanian Cricket Museum at Bellerive Oval
- Host a 12 year old cancer patient and her family at the Twenty20 International at Bellerive Oval
- Be part of the official launch of the new lights at Bellerive Oval
- Meet with key donors to the ‘Hitting Childhood Cancer for Six’ program including the Federal Group and Cricket Tasmania

“The next 12 months are going to be a busy time for me with the Ashes series against England, the Commonwealth Bank Series which will include a game here in Hobart and then our defence of the World Cup,” Ponting said.

“I’m doing everything I can with my teammates to win the Ashes back and retain the World Cup. From a personal point of view, Rianna and I are just as focussed on making a difference for children with cancer all over Australia and, in particular, here in Tasmania.”

Further information is available at:
Ponting Foundation or Run Ricky Run or
James Henderson
Chief Executive
Ponting Foundation
+61 418 310 248