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Date

Name of Potential Sponsor
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Dear…..,

As you may be aware, the ..... region has a shortage of Allied Health Professionals (occupational therapists, speech therapists, physiotherapists etc) in its hospital, education and community health services. As one of a number of initiatives aimed at increasing the number and quality of trained occupational therapists in regional Queensland, The University of Queensland (UQ), James Cook University (JCU) and University of Sunshine Coast (USC) are seeking to promote student fieldwork placements in regional Queensland.

Specifically, by securing occupational therapy student placements for ..... region, it is hoped that it will raise the profile of our region and ultimately lead to qualified occupational therapists prepared to work in our locality after graduation.

The Current Situation
As part of their training, occupational therapy students are required to complete supervised student fieldwork placements in positions where they can gain the clinical and professional skills necessary to enable them to be competent occupational therapy professionals. They must complete up to three placements of between 7 and 10 weeks duration.

How can we encourage Allied Health Professional students to undertake their placements in ..... region? At present, students tend to undertake their placements in or near the major city where their university is located. They do this as they often have rented accommodation, part-time jobs and other commitments in the city. In order to encourage students to experience our regional community, not only do we need to ensure they are not financially disadvantaged but further, we need to ensure that working in rural and regional localities is a positive experience for them.

We would like your assistance in establishing a Placement Grant to provide financial support to an occupational therapy student to complete a clinical placement in our community.

What do we need?

• Direct tax deductible sponsorship.
  It is anticipated that approximately $......... would provide support to a student undertaking a ….x... week placement in our area.

• Sponsors have the option of paying their donation direct to the (xxx) university and this donation is tax deductible. Receipts will be provided by the university and the student's expenses will be administered directly by the university.
   
• There is also the option of sponsors managing the funds within their own organisation and paying the necessary expenses for the student as they arise. This option may not attract tax benefits, but nevertheless is an acceptable method of support.

• Long Term
  Evidence suggests that occupational therapy students who have the opportunity to experience clinical placements in a regional area are likely to apply for full time positions in that area in the future. Support of this grant will contribute to the provision of adequate allied health services in our community in the future.
   
• Immediate
  (List here what you can offer locally……examples - acknowledgement in articles in the local press; educational talks to the employees/customers of the sponsor, certificates of appreciation)
   
• Monetary donations are tax deductible.

Yours sincerely,
 
 
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