• Jetstar awards $30,000 to Mummy’s Wish, a charity assisting Mums with cancer
• More than 100 Queensland families to receive support and charity to expand interstate
• NSW & ACT community groups can now apply for the next Flying Start grant worth $30,000

A Queensland charity which supports mothers facing cancer is the first Australian recipient of Jetstar Airways’ $30,000 Flying Start programme.

Mummy’s Wish was one of more than 600 charities from across Queensland and the Northern Territory who entered Jetstar’s Flying Start programme which gives grassroots organisations the opportunity to spread their good work beyond their local community.

Jetstar Australia and New Zealand chief executive officer David Hall said the $30,000 grant made up of $15,000 in cash and $15,000 worth of Jetstar flights will help the charity speed up its plans for growth and help more families in need.

“All the team at Jetstar are delighted to support such a deserving organisation. Jetstar is all about bringing families and friends together and with the grant we hope Mummy’s Wish is able to continue its great work,” Mr Hall said.

“What impressed us most about Mummy’s Wish was the simple goal of maintaining normal family life in the face of adversity. Mummy’s Wish is making a positive impact in its community and this is exactly what Flying Start is all about.”

Founded by two mums who have themselves battled cancer, the four year old charity provides support to mums affected by cancer and has to date assisted over 300 families across Queensland.

The charity provides assistance in practical ways that are critical to the daily commitments of being a mum from a helping hand with housework or the delivery of a home cooked meal to providing iPads for mums to skype their kids post-surgery and keep in touch when away from home.

Mummy’s Wish chief executive officer, Serena Beirne said winning the grant could not have come at a better time for the charity.

“So many more Queensland mums are being referred to us every day, and we have the increased financial and travel demands that come with our national expansion. We will be able to directly help so many more mums and families because of Jetstar’s generosity,” Ms Beirne said.

“Longer term we are also well underway in setting up the Mummy’s Wish service across New South Wales in partnership with St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. A portion of the grant will be used for training a new consort of support coordinators, enabling us to take our services to even more families.”

Flying Start judge and television host, Gorgi Coghlan reinforces the panel’s passion for the cause.

"Being a mum myself, knowing that there are charities like Mummy’s Wish providing everyday support to help families get through these trying times is inspirational. I look forward to having a hands-on role in helping the charity continue its phenomenal work,” she said.