ABN Group makes fifth largest donation

Third-generation builder Dale Alcock’s personal experience with asbestos-related disease has prompted the ABN Group’s fifth largest philanthropic donation - this time to help fund mesothelioma research.

The ABN Group managing director’s father had contracted the disease through exposure to asbestos, and died three years ago.

Mr Alcock has now confirmed $300,000 of company funds will be donated to the University of Western Australia-affiliated National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases.

It’s the company’s fifth largest commitment, coming in behind donations to the St John of God Comprehensive Cancer Centre ($500,000), Salvation Army Queensland Disaster Relief Appeal ($500,000), Red Cross Victorian Bush Fire Appeal ($409,295), and Carbon Neutral ($384,402).

Since 2006, the ABN Group has donated more than $6.7 million to various causes.

Its donation to the national centre will be made through the Housing Industry Association’s Charitable Foundation, which Mr Alcock helps run through his role on the management committee.

It is also being bolstered by an additional $50,000 donation from WA Charity Direct, which has involvement from ABN Group’s executives and employees.

The national centre is embarking on a collaborative research project with the Queensland Centre for Medical Genomics to study changes in DNA sequences that have led to cancer.