Promising Aussie Ice Skaters to benefit from Sydney Harbour Tragedy
The father of 14-year-old Morgan Innes has called on those who want to remember his daughter to contribute to a trust fund set up to assist future Australian ice skating stars and underprivileged youth.
Morgan was one of four people killed in the collision between a boat and ferry on Sydney Harbour late last month.
47-year-old Robert Innes says the only way he, his wife Kim and 11-year-old son Curtis can move forward is by knowing that something positive has come out of the tragedy.
The family laid Morgan to rest in Brisbane on Tuesday, 10th April.
“While we remain numbed by what has happened, Morgan was such a special girl with an infectious personality and a bright outlook that I believe she would have wanted us to help the ice skating community that played such an important part in her life,” Mr Innes says.
Those wishing to donate to The Morgan Innes Foundation can do so through any branch of the Commonwealth Bank Australia-wide, citing BSB 064 417 and Account Number 1059 6519.
Alternatively, donations can be made securely on the internet at http://www.morganinnes.com/.
Money raised will go towards assisting Australian ice skaters who show talent and promise and to young Australians undergoing hardship.
The first donation to the Foundation is $50,000 from the NSW Government, presented to Mr Innes by Premier Morris Iemma.
Morgan Innes was a two-time state ice-skating champion with aspirations of “going all the way” in her chosen sport.
Now the sport’s governing body, Ice Skating Australia, will award a series of skating scholarships from money received by The Foundation.
The first recipients will be named at this year’s national championships – to be held at the Hunter Rink in the Hunter Valley, two hours drive north of Sydney – in August.
“We would like nothing more than for some young Australians who benefit from this fund to collect Olympic medals in years to come and know that they received a major boost from The Morgan Innes Foundation,” Mr Innes says.
“The more money we can collect, the more Aussie skaters we can help and the more future champions we will, hopefully, produce.”
Ten percent of the funds raised will go towards introducing ice skating to young Australians who, by virtue of their personal circumstances, have not had the opportunities in life afforded to others.
They will be given the chance to visit an ice skating rink and learn to skate, courtesy of The Morgan Innes Foundation.
For further information or interviews, please contact Alex First on 0418 660 660.
