appointments 
Stationery company Fred Hosking has demonstrated its commitment to social responsibility by handing over a cheque worth almost $44,000 to UNICEF Australia to help children affected by the growing humanitarian crisis in Sudan’s western region of Darfur. The money was raised from the sale last Christmas of the company’s two card designs and will be used by UNICEF to provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable children who have been displaced from their homes in Darfur by recent civil conflict.

Over one million Sudanese people have been displaced, mostly children, women and the elderly, while over 100,000 people have fled to neighbouring Chad. UNICEF is working closely with other UN agencies in western Sudan to provide relief and shelter to displaced populations, and has identified the most pressing needs in Darfur which require funding as water and sanitation, nutrition, immunising children against measles, education and child protection.

Carolyn Hardy, UNICEF Australia chief executive, says, "Fred Hosking has been associated with UNICEF Australia for the past 17 years and continues to be an extremely generous supporter of our work to help the world’s poorest children survive and thrive. UNICEF receives no UN funding and relies entirely on voluntary contributions such as this one.

"We’re also very grateful to Fred Hosking for giving us the opportunity to include several UNICEF cards in their own corporate Christmas catalogue, with a percentage of the proceeds going to UNICEF Australia. Likewise we’re grateful for the support of the network of local printers around Australia who each year personalise the cards with corporate messages for their own clients."

Martin Hosking, Fred Hosking managing director, says, "Fred Hosking is delighted to have been associated with UNICEF Australia since 1988. In recent years we have accredited two of our Corporate Christmas designs to UNICEF Australia and provided the opportunity for our customers to also support this wonderful organisation and the work they do for children throughout the world. We appreciate the opportunity to work with UNICEF Australia on this worthwhile project and look forward to raising even more money for children this year".