Sydney, Australia, 23 September 2024 – As the virtual Annual MG Show and Shine for MG enthusiasts prepares to launch on Monday, the festivities are already in full swing as two iconic brands celebrate milestone anniversaries. 

While MG marks 100 years of moving people, Australian Red Cross is celebrating 110-years of being there for everyone, always. In honour of these milestones, MG is leveraging the auto show to support Australian Red Cross, reflecting their aligned mission of supporting journeys that truly matter.

The annual online auto show highlights MG’s rich history, featuring the best, oldest, newest, and most innovative vehicles from its century-long history, getting owners and fans involved by asking them to share their favourite vehicle photo and MG memory.

Reinforcing its dedication to giving back to the community, MG Motor Australia is supporting Australian Red Cross by donating $30 for every vehicle uploaded to their website, with a goal of raising $20,000 for Australian Red Cross humanitarian programs. Participants will also have the chance to win one of several top-tier prizes for their photo or video submissions.

Brad Chruszcz, MG Motor National Sales Manager team said the digital car show is a great way to set off a chain reaction of events, with the hope of giving help to people when they need it most.

“It started with a dream to turn customer passion and their cars toward helping raise much needed funds for people in need, some of whom experiencing homelessness - now, while Australia sleeps and works, this digital car show offers far more than just showcasing vehicles—it provides hope and tangible support to those in need," Mr Chruszcz said.

This point was reaffirmed by Stephanie Bageski from MG Motor Australia’s Regional Marketing team who said the online event is not only a celebration of the thousands of MG owners within Australia but an opportunity to unify the MG family at a time when putting humanity first is more important than ever.

"If you're a car person and own an MG, you just upload your car, have complete strangers admire it, raise money and it's all for a good cause at a time when cost of living pressures are at an all-time high," said Ms.Bageski.

Australian Red Cross Queensland Director Collin Sivalingum expressed his gratitude for MG’s ongoing support of this annual event, now in its fourth year. 

"Thanks to MG Motor Australia, we've raised over $168,000 to support vulnerable Australians. This year's donation will specifically benefit our Brisbane Night Café, which offers a safe space and essential services to young people facing severe social exclusion," said Mr Sivalingum.

“For over 110 years, Australian Red Cross has been there for Australians in times of need. Last year alone, 2,180 young people were supported through various programs, including the Brisbane Night Café, where nearly 9,000 instances of practical assistance were provided”.

MG owners and car aficionados can get involved by registering their interest to the MG Show and Shine event page.

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Media Contacts

MG Motor Australia
David Giammetta

Communications and PR Manager
Mobile0499 515 025

E:david.giammetta@smil.com

Thrive PR + Communications for MG Motor Australia
MGPR@thrivepr.com.au
Michael Banks, Senior Account Manager
0418 862 545

About the Australian Red Cross Night Café

The goal of the Night Cafe is to empower young people who are experiencing deep social exclusion to determine their future. This goal is achieved by building relationships, embracing participation through volunteerism, and giving young people a voice.  

The defining characteristic of the Night Cafe model is being the only after-hours space for youth 12-25 in Brisbane that invites and facilitates a connection between young people and support service systems within the Brisbane city area and beyond.  

The Night Cafe was created considering the Brisneland report, which engaged and collected qualitative data from 92 young people sleeping rough in Brisbane’s CBD about what young people experiencing homelessness wanted. A key need identified by 85.9% of participants - a safe after-hours space where young people could access basic needs and support – is what the Red Cross Night Cafe has been doing for the last 23 years. 

The Australian Red Cross Tea Rooms were established in the basement of the Brisbane City Town Hall during the 1930s.  The ‘Tea Rooms’ played a vital role for women living in Brisbane during World War II whose husbands were at war. The Tea Rooms provided a safe, central location for women and children to seek support, socialise with a cup of tea and engage in domestic and volunteering activities. 

Since February 2022 Australian Red Cross has collaborated with The Nundah Co-operative (a social enterprise) to operate the day café, “Marhaba Café” engages people from migrant, and refugee backgrounds and people experiencing vulnerabilities in employment and training this cafe supplies the Catering for the Night Cafe. 

 This collaboration has opportunities for young people, The Red Cross and Nundah Community Enterprise Co-op have achieved positive outcomes e.g., young people successful in gaining casual employment. Acknowledgment of country project Fase 1 and a cobranded campaign Nundah Co-op and Red Cross Night Cafe for the Donate a Meal Campaign supporting the nutritional meals served in the space made with care by Marhaba Cafe