Rain may have caused delays during day one of the 2014 Hobart International, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of some special guests.
Leukaemia survivor Lachie Michael was one of the tennis fans who streamed through the gates to watch some of the world’s best tennis players in action.
Lachie, 5, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2010 when he was two. Now in remission, the young tennis fan enjoyed the tennis from the comfort of a corporate box on centre court with his family.
Multi Card ATM together with Tennis Australia made the experience happen, donating the corporate box to the Leukaemia Foundation, who offered it to Lachie and his family.
“Lachie loves playing tennis so this is a very special experience for him, however I was worried that he might want to get out on the court and start playing,” said his mother Louise Trennery.
“We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to attend the tennis and we are grateful for the generosity of the donor, and grateful for the continued support of the Leukaemia Foundation.”
Tascare Society for Children, an organisation that cares for families with disabled children, also benefited from a corporate box donation. It allowed executive officer Denise Hamilton to take some of the families associated with the organisation to experience a day at the picturesque Domain Tennis Centre.
“This is an opportunity for families associated with Tascare to really have a nice day out and get away from the pressure of being a parent of a child with a disability. They were able to come and enjoy some time out and be very spoilt in the process,” Hamilton said. “Today has been so exceptional.”
Tasmanian swimmer Josh Timbs was part of the Tascare group enjoying the day one action. Timbs, a keen tennis fan, is a Special Olympics bronze medallist.
“Josh is a very special part of the Tascare family and it is great to have him here today. It’s a champion watching champions, it’s perfect,” Hamilton said.
“It’s been great,” Timbs added.
Multi Card ATM director George Spiliopoulos said he was thrilled to be able to offer such experiences to deserving organisations.
“I chose to donate the corporate boxes to lift the spirits of the community who would otherwise not have been able to enjoy the spectacle that is tennis,” he said.