Save the Children is proud to host Alfa Romeo F1 Team at its Mooroopna Kindergarten in rural Victoria today.
Ahead of an exciting racing schedule at Melbourne’s Albert Park, Alfa Romeo F1 Team driver Valtteri Bottas is visiting Save the Children’s long standing early years’ service in Mooroopna, much to the delight of its young attendees.
Hailing from Finland, motorsport superstar Valtteri Bottas is competing in Formula One for Alfa Romeo F1 Team and will be racing in this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
The Mooroopna Kindergarten was significantly damaged by flooding in November 2022, with little other than the internal frames left standing. This loss is being compounded by an impeding funding cliff due to a rural area teacher shortage, which is threatening the very existence of the service.
Should the Mooroopna Kinder be forced to permanently shut its doors, 80 children and the wider community it serves will be adversely affected.
To support Save the Children, Valterri Bottas will be auctioning off one of his two special edition race helmets, designed by Indigenous artist Ricky Kildea, with half of proceeds to be donated to the Mooroopna Kindergarten*.
“Australian culture and history are something I have taken a keen interest in recent years, especially through my partner, Tiffany, who is from here, and we were committed to paying a special tribute to the Indigenous community,” Mr Bottas said.
“Hence, the collaboration with Ricky was born. He’s a very talented artist, and I enjoyed the creative process behind the helmets. I reckon they are two of the finest designs I have ever brought on track, and I am delighted to be auctioning one of them off for a good cause.
“The Australian Grand Prix marked the perfect occasion to bring to life not one, but two incredible helmet designs whilst raising funds for those in need together with the team’s Official Charity Partner, Save the Children.”
Lee Joachim, Regional Manager of Victorian Programs for 54 reasons, which delivers Save the Children service in Australia, said he was thrilled that Alfa Romeo F1 Team and Valtteri Bottas were travelling to Mooroopna to shine a light on the valuable community service.
“We are excited to welcome our partner Alfa Romeo F1 Team and Valtteri Bottas to Mooroopna. Many of the children attending the kinder are big fans of race cars and are so excited to meet a real race car driver!
“This kinder is an integral part of the Mooroopna community and has positively affected the lives of so many locals. Five generations of my own family have attended over the years, including me in the 1970s, and it is very much a safe space for us, as it is for many others in the community,” Mr Joachim said.
“We’re thrilled to host the Alfa Romeo F1 Team and Valtteri Bottas today and thank them for their ongoing commitment to supporting Save the Children’s invaluable work with children and young people who need it most.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Holly Robertson on 0414546656 or media.team@savethechildren.org.au.
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Mooroopna Kindergarten is a safe place for children from diverse backgrounds and has a long history in the region with a strong connection to First Nations people, with Indigenous culture embedded into its practice daily. It has been operating since the 1960s and is responsible for educating, supporting and caring for generations of local children.
- 54 reasons is Save the Children’s Australian service delivery arm, working in almost 200 communities and locations in every Australian state and territory. 54 reasons delivers quality services to children and families to support child development, divert young people from the justice system, respond to domestic and family violence, and amplify children’s voices and participation in decision making.
- Alfa Romeo F1 Team has been a proud partner and supporter of Save the Children Switzerland since 2019.
- The F1 Australian Grand Prix is taking place at Melbourne’s Albert Park from 30 March to 2 April 2023. More details here.
- *Half of helmet auction proceeds are to be contributed to the Mooroopna Kindergarten and half to the Koorie Academy Basketball – the charity of artist Ricky Kildea’s choice.