Fortescue grants help brighten Pilbara community projects

A range of organisations creating positive outcomes for communities in the Pilbara have received funding under the latest round of Fortescue Metals Group’s (Fortescue) Community Support program.

$78,000 in funding has been awarded to more than 40 programs, activities and events in the City of Karratha, Town of Port Hedland and Shires of East Pilbara and Ashburton.   

Fortescue General Manager Hedland Operations Fernando Pereira said the Community Support program is one of the ways Fortescue was investing in local communities.

“Since its inception, we have provided assistance to over 270 Pilbara-based community initiatives. We are pleased to be able to work with another group of grassroots organisations through the latest round,” Mr Pereira said.

Among the recipients in the latest round were the Town of Port Hedland and Hedland Youth Stakeholder Action Group, who received $5,000 in support of the Colour Dash to recognise Mental Health Week.

Twenty Fortescue volunteers participated in the event, where around 500 children aged six to 17 years old were covered in coloured dust while completing an obstacle course.

Participants also heard from Hockeyroos player and R U OK ambassador Ashleigh Nelson, who attended the Colour Dash as a guest speaker.

“I was pleased to be invited by Fortescue to participate in the event, which presented an ideal opportunity to speak to young people in regional Western Australia about their mental health and wellbeing,” she said.

Mr Pereira said Fortescue is committed to ensuring local communities benefit from the growth and development of the business. 

“The health and wellbeing of our team members is of utmost importance at Fortescue and we are proud to support this initiative which will help improve outcomes for young people in Port Hedland,” he said.