Source: AAP|Published: Thursday January 18, 9:06 AM
MELBOURNE, Jan 18 AAP - While the tennis world's eyes are fixed on the Australian Open at Melbourne Park this week, Mark Philippoussis has returned to his roots to support a welfare group helping homeless children in his old neighborhood.
This morning Philippoussis will launch a program to provide textbooks, stationery and calculators to homeless young people who are having difficulty paying for their schooling.
The program centres around Footscray, in Melbourne's western suburbs, where Philippoussis grew up.
Philippoussis, who is missing from the Australian Open following knee surgery, has been an ambassador for the welfare group, Open Family, since 1999.
Open Family provides 24-hour services for homeless children and has helped children complete their education with its Back to School program since 1989.
Earlier this week, Open Family social worker Les Twentyman took Philippoussis to meet children helped by the group.