Following their recent virtual Realize 2020 event, the Micro Focus team in Australia and New Zealand raised $54,000 through partner sponsorships and fundraising, which was donated to their INSPIRE charity partner Free3D Hands, a non-profit organization that produces and distributes 3D printed “hands” and assistive devices to people in need around the world – for free.
The funds raised will boost the charity’s COVID-19 Face Shield campaign, an ambitious drive to manufacture, package and distribute over 4,000 face shields to essential service workers in Australia. Earlier this year, colleagues across Australia and New Zealand raised more than $2,500 within three weeks to support the campaign.
Peter Fuller, Managing Director, Micro Focus Australia and New Zealand, said: “This is a phenomenal achievement that we have made together with our partners, driven through our flagship marketing event. When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, Free3DHands repurposed its 3D printers to print face shields for essential workers. To date, they have supplied over 2,500 face shields free of charge to several institutions including aged care facilities, schools, police and frontline medical staff. In supporting Free3DHands, we are making a significant difference to those in need at a time when we are all impacted at some level.”
To show their appreciation of the donation, Free3DHands printed a collection of iconic “hands” and certificates - see the images above - as a thank you to our partner sponsors.
The founder of Free 3D Hands, Mat Bowtell, is a software engineer who uses his technology skills to design and print assistive devices which he then gives to those who need them, at no charge. The use of technology to innovate for good, combined with the great act of kindness, resonates with our values as part of Micro Focus INSPIRE – and it is this sentiment that led to the partnership between Micro Focus and Free3DHands in Australia and New Zealand.
Watch this video highlighting why Micro Focus Australia and New Zealand chose to support Free 3D Hands as part of their Micro Focus INSPIRE employee volunteering initiatives.
