Zoe, the daughter of our colleague, friend and loyal Construction Manager, Lach Kennedy, was a caring, energetic and much loved 13 year old. Despite being a severe asthmatic from birth, this exceptionally sporty young girl was also a talented and skilled netball player – a rising star.
In June 2020, Zoe suffered an acute asthma attack and was rushed to hospital where she was immediately placed on life-support. Four days later, the Kennedy family were devastated to learn that Zoe would not recover.
In partnership with Asthma Australia, Figurehead have established the Zoe Kennedy Foundation.
Figurehead chose to partner with Asthma Australia, a for-purpose, consumer organisation committed to improving the lives of people with asthma. Establishing the Figurehead Asthma Research Program, our goal is to better understand severe asthma, especially in children and teenagers, investigating better treatment options, prevention strategies and an eventual cure.
The Zoe Kennedy Foundation will sponsor a three year Figurehead PhD Scholarship and two year Post-Doctoral Research Grant. Both initiatives, shortlisted and selected in conjunction with Asthma Australia by Figurehead, will support well defined and reasoned research projects aimed at producing genuine benefit for people living with asthma.
The broader community is invited to support a number of organised charity events, including The Zoe Kennedy Tribute day, a football match between Newtown and Bell Park, where Zoe played netball for Newtown, and, Lach was a long time member of the Bell Park football team, and The Zoe Kennedy Cup, an 18 hole golf challenge. Zoe Kennedy Asthma Awareness Day, a Free Dress day at a number of local Geelong schools is run during Asthma Week in early September to raise funds and generate awareness for the cause among young people. Running BBQ’s on site, staff meeting raffles and various morning teas; all of our internal fundraising money continues to go towards the Foundation.