In Hobart for the third Test match at Bellerive starting on Thursday, Ponting and his wife Rianna visited the paediatric oncology unit to meet those who would benefit from the Ponting Foundation's fight against childhood cancer.

Ponting signed cricket bats, posters and hats for the children who travel from all over the state to get treatment.

Although he is not the biggest cricket fan, Kayden Beer, 12, of Cuprona, was impressed by the cricketing champ's visit.

But the "one-eyed Collingwood supporter" said the meeting would probably not entice him to become a bigger cricket fan.

Ponting said charity work was one of the great parts of being an Australian cricketer.

"You can go pretty much anywhere and put smiles on kids' faces," he said.

Launched in November last year, the Hitting Childhood Cancer For Six program aims to raise $500,000 over the next three years to improve services and support to Tasmanian children living with cancer.

The State Government yesterday donated $100,000 to the initiative.

Ponting said the donation was a great start to the Tasmania- specific charity.

"It's something that means a lot to us," he said.

"Tasmania is home for me and always will be home for me and I want to give back whatever I can to the state."

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