March 04, 2011: Australia’s leading helicopter manufacturer, Australian Aerospace Limited, has teamed with the children’s charity, the Day of Difference Foundation, to support its goal of raising $100,000 for Queensland hospitals damaged or disabled by the recent floods.

The Day of Difference Foundation is dedicated to supporting children suffering life threatening injuries and their families, from emergency to recovery, by raising funds for specialised medical equipment, facilities, support and research.

“Today, our goal is to raise $100,000 to buy urgently-needed medical equipment and other resources for hospitalised children and their families in flood-damaged paediatric hospitals in Brisbane,” says Day of Difference Foundation Chairman, Mr. Ron Delezio.

Supporting the Foundation, Australian Aerospace Limited has donated $20,000, of which $10,000 will go to the Group’s flood appeal and the remaining $10,000 to support the Foundation’s general work in helping children with life threatening injuries and their families during their journey to recovery.

Presenting the $20,000 cheque during the Avalon Air Show in Victoria, Australian Aerospace Chief Executive, Dr Jens Goennemann, said: “Australian Aerospace is a Brisbane-based company and we consider ourselves very much a member of the Queensland family.

“There are many worthy charitable causes in Australia, and we feel close to the cause of rehabilitating disabled, distressed and traumatised children. If we can assist the Day of Difference to achieve its goal of $100,000 to help critically injured kids and their families in Brisbane hospitals, then we consider it money very well spent,” Dr Goennemann said.

As a special treat, Australian Aerospace will also host a group of children from the Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital and their parents to a day at the Avalon Air Show, where they’ll see the aircraft exhibits and enjoy the afternoon aerial displays from the comfort of a private chalet. Some of the children will be flown from Melbourne to Avalon by helicopter while others will be bussed to the show.

Editors Note: The helicopter will depart from Melbourne’s Batman Park at 11.30 a.m. on Friday, March 04, arriving at Avalon Air Show at 12.00 p.m. Media wishing to cover this event should position at Batman Park at 11.00 a.m. Contact: David Baker, Tel: 0407 068 814.

The Day of Difference Foundation
The Day of Difference Foundation is dedicated to helping children with life threatening injuries and their families across Australia by supporting them on the life changing journey from intensive care through to recovery. Our mission is to offer family support, hospital resources, access to communications and accommodation, community engagement and education in the acceptance of difference.


Australian Aerospace Limited
Australian Aerospace Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Eurocopter – a part of the European Aeronautic Defence & Space Group (EADS). Created in 2003 through the merger of Eurocopter International Pacific Limited and Australian Aerospace Pty Ltd, the company has evolved into a major defence supplier to the Australian Government. With more than 1000 staff in Australia and New Zealand and access to the financial strength and expertise of Eurocopter and the EADS Group, the company is well-positioned to manufacture and support civil and military helicopters in the Australia-Pacific region. In addition to its helicopter capabilities, Australian Aerospace has a long history of support to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Currently it is assembling and delivering 22 Tiger ARH armed reconnaissance helicopters to the Australian Army and 46 MRH90 multi-role helicopters to the Army and Navy. It also provides support for the RAAF AP3C Orion reconnaissance aircraft and, until recently, the now retired Caribou transport fleet. Last year it commenced a through-life-support role for C-130J Hercules transports. The company is also involved in supporting the RAAF’s new Airbus A330-based Multi-Role Tanker-Transport (MRTT) aircraft.

Further Information:
Nathan Pick, Manager Corporate Communications, Tel: 61 (0) 439 676 909
Ted Porter, Media Relations Consultant, Tel: 61 (0) 418 468 269
Ron Delezio, Chairman and Founder of the Day of Difference Foundation, Tel: 612 89209000