Thank you, Shane Warne
Our gratitude, and our condolences.
Our community here at Heartwell were deeply saddened by the sudden loss of a great supporter and friend in Shane Warne.
Shane had perhaps a complex reputation in the celebrity and sporting landscape, but his legacy of generosity when it came to helping children is undeniable and will be an impact that remains.
For four years, The Shane Warne Foundation enabled Heartwell to offer fully funded positions in our unique physical education and rehabilitation services to deserving children. These children, who ranged in age all the way from four to eighteen years old, each had diverse backgrounds and varying levels of disability or illness. But all shared the common need for a specifically-designed program to increase their physical conditioning, fundamental motor skills and overall self- confidence.
Over four years, The Shane Warne Foundation contributed over $140,000 to the Heartwell Foundation.
From 2007 to 2011, The Shane Warne Foundation contributed over $140,000 to the Heartwell Foundation, which allowed more than forty children to participate in our programs.
However, the powerful financial contribution of his Foundation was equaled by Shane’s genuine interest and care for the kids and families of Heartwell. He spent a number of hours at our facility one day, meeting the children he was sponsoring. Shane did not leave until he had bowled tennis balls to every child (and each of their siblings and parents).
Shane also hosted these Heartwell families, along with other lucky recipients of his Foundation, for family fun days at Luna Park where we had the entire place to ourselves. Right in the middle of the action was Shane, taking rides with the families, enjoying a chat over lunch and genuinely being a wonderful host.
Heartwell will always have fond memories of Shane, and the contribution that he and his Foundation made over many years to allow us to provide programs to hundreds of kids in need.
I was very fortunate to be asked to speak at TSWF Boxing Day Test Breakfast (the morning of Shane’s last test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground) on behalf of all the not-for-profits and children’s charities that Shane’s Foundation had helped. It was a delightful opportunity to give those in attendance an insight into Shane outside his cricketing persona and, in so doing, acknowledge his compassion and kindness.
Shane’s genuine desire to make life better for those less fortunate assisted countless vulnerable children and families in Australia. I was honoured last week to speak in Channel Seven’s documentary tribute, Warnie, and convey just how fond Heartwell’s memories will always be of Shane. The contribution he and his Foundation made over many years allowed us to provide programs to hundreds of kids in need.
Our thoughts continue to be with his family and friends at this difficult time.
Vale, Shane Warne. You made a difference.
— Scott Taylor, Co-Director of the Heartwell Foundation
