In November, two financial advice practices were recognised for their significant contributions to their communities at AMP's ASTRUM Awards Dinner.
Blueprint Wealth (Perth, WA) and Progressive Financial Planners (Warner's Bay, NSW) were awarded the Community Service Award to celebrate the impact they have made on their community through providing pro bono financial advice, extensive fundraising efforts and their advocacy for the profession.
Both Blueprint Wealth and Progressive Financial Planners have been providing pro bono financial advice to people affected by cancer through Cancer Council's Pro Bono Program for over 10 years. Collectively, they have helped over 150 families over this time.
Cancer Council connects cancer patients and their families, who cannot afford the cost of advice, with financial advisers who generously volunteer their time and professional skills to provide free financial advice, ensuring people can access this support when they need it the most.
"By giving pro bono advice, advisers provide life changing support to families who are navigating the financial challenges that come along with a cancer diagnosis," says Sophie Anderson, Manager of Cancer Council's national Pro Bono Program. "This support contributes to relieving the financial stress and burden associated with a cancer diagnosis, allowing people to focus on their health, treatment, and time with their family."
On top of providing pro bono financial advice, Blueprint Wealth have raised significant funds for Cancer Council by hosting "Girls' Night In" events for many years. This year, the event raised over $22,000 towards funding Cancer Council's vital research, prevention and information and support services.
Progressive Financial Planners have supported their community through their annual charitable work with Variety - the Children's Charity, raising over $90,000 as part of the highest fundraising team, sponsorship of the Christmas Central Drive-Thru and becoming completely carbon offset at a staff and business level.
"A focus on community forms part of our 'Core Values' at Progressive. Our whole team truly cares for our clients, the Progressive family, and the community around us. We take our responsibility to support people through their journey seriously – whatever that journey may look like.
We all know or love someone that has been touched by cancer and we take great pride in being somewhere to turn to for people that need a guiding hand."
Sophie and her team are "thrilled that the incredible contributions of these practices have been recognised within their industry. We can't thank them enough for their support of Cancer Council and their vital impact in their wider communities."
