Employees at brand performance company SGK has come together with a client to help long-time employee Ross O’Donovan with equipping his family pool for son Finn (pictured above), who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) late last year.
DMD is a terminal, life-changing disease that can have a long-reaching impact on the whole family. It could potentially see Finn permanently in a wheelchair by his early teens.
DMD is also known to attack the respiratory and heart muscles, but swimming can improve the condition and has proven to be beneficial in such cases. With the right treatment such as physio and hydro therapies, symptoms could be delayed.
When pool solutions client Zodiac Group was informed of Finn’s condition, it decided to generously supply valuable equipment to O’Donovan’s family.
Drew Ridley, executive Director at SGK Australia, said: “the generosity and heartfelt help for Ross and his family is tremendous. I am very proud of the ground swell of support shown by our team and everyone involved, including our valued client Zodiac”.
O’Donovan said: “The team at Zodiac will always have a place in our hearts. Their generosity and support has enabled us to get Finn into the pool faster to get started on his very important hydrotherapy.
“I am completely overwhelmed by the support and generosity within our SGK business here at North Sydney. Not only has my peers helped out financially, I have also been granted time off to be with my son at those all-important hospital visits.”
Family and friends have set up the Fight for Finn Foundation and an active Facebook page, which is aimed at providing financial relief for the O’Donovan family of five, and to help raise general awareness of this debilitating and lesser-known disease.
The first major fundraising event was the recent sell-out charity ball in Sydney. SGK Australia were at the event in full force, including both Anthem and Schawk employees, as part of SGK.
Employees have continued to give generously at office fundraisers, with additional contributions provided by the company.
