QR National Establishes Cash Grant Fund for Community Projects

Queensland-based rail freight company, QR National has established of a community fund targeted at grassroots community projects in regional and rural Australia.

In unveiling the details of the ‘QR National Community Giving Fund’, Managing Director & CEO Lance Hockridge said the ongoing program will encourage eligible charitable organisations to seek grant funding up to $20,000 for specific community-based projects.

Hockridge says the Fund is about giving back to the communities where their employees live and work.

He says the majority of their 9,000 strong workforce is based in regional and rural areas and that’s where the focus will be with this Fund.

He says when the company decided to set up the Fund, they went to their employees to understand what was important to them in their local communities and they recommended three areas to focus on – Health and Wellbeing, Community Safety and Education.

QR National will work in conjunction with the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Australia to provide two grant rounds per year.

Hockridge says QR National has a strong corporate social responsibility and they know through the employee surveys that their people are already involved with scores of community-based charities and worthwhile projects.

Eligible charities can apply online at www.qrnational.com.au. Applications for the first round will close 5pm (AEDST) Monday 31st October 2011.

The QR National Community Giving Fund is a foundation account within the CAF Community Fund.