Concert Pianist Simon Tedeschi To Launch Microloan Foundation In Australia With Concert At Sydney Op

MEDIA RELEASE

23rd September 2008

Concert pianist Simon Tedeschi to launch MicroLoan Foundation in Australia with concert at Sydney Opera House on Saturday 18th October

On Saturday 18th October Simon Tedeschi will help the MicroLoan Foundation (MLF) launch in Australia with a special gala concert at the Sydney Opera House. Simon will be joined on stage by Australian jazz pianist and friend Kevin Hunt in a special concert called "I Want To Play Like Him!"

All profits from the event will go to support MLF's work in Malawi. Originally established in the UK in 2002, the charity provides business loans and comprehensive long term support to women through business training and mentorship. A huge proportion of the donations MLF receives goes straight to the people who need it most - their large volunteer base helps run the organisation, allowing it to operate with very low overheads.

Simon Tedeschi has agreed to be Patron of MicroLoan Foundation Australia (MLFA). In accepting his role as Patron Simon said "I was thrilled and fascinated to learn about the work MLF is doing. My hope is that it will make a true, lasting and pivotal change to those who need it most, using a clear business model. As an artist, I am so excited to be part of this initiative and urge the support of the wider community to get behind it."

In becoming patron of MicroLoan Foundation Australia, Simon joins Bob Geldof KBE, who is the founding patron of the charity in the UK. The concert at the Opera House will be hosted by radio and TV personality and journalist Julie McCrossin, renowned across Australia for her warmth, humour, intelligence and commitment to justice and diversity.

Chairman of MLFA Brian Keen said "We are delighted that Simon has agreed to become our Patron here in Australia and doubly pleased that he has offered to play for us at our Australian launch. My wife and children were born in Malawi and we moved to Australia in the mid 70s. I chose to become part of MLF because I believe it is a powerful way to help people living in the tenth most impoverished country in the world, devastated by drought, famine and AIDS."

Tickets are $95 each and all profits will go to support the MicroLoan Foundation's work in Africa. To book tickets (150 seats available) go to http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/microloanfoundation.aspx.

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About MicroLoan Foundation (MLF)
MicroLoan Foundation, established in the UK in 2002, provides small loans (otherwise known as microloans), basic business training and continuing guidance to groups of women in sub-Saharan Africa. This enables them to develop self-sustainable livelihoods, feed, clothe and educate their families, and work their way out of the poverty trap. We now have fifteen offices in Malawi and have made microloans to over 12,500 women.

For more information on MLF in Australia and the gala launch concert go to www.microloanfoundation.org.au or contact David Bateson on 07 3901 1055 / 0402 332287.