News

Give Me Five a hit for kids' ward

Thu, 18 Jul 2013 11:54:00

Mildura Base Hospital’s children’s ward will be a much brighter place thanks to the huge success of the “97.9 Sun FM’s Give Me Five for Kids” fundraiser this year.

The campaign ran on Mildura radio station Sun FM throughout last month and received unprecedented support from business and community organisations.
The end result was a record $23,407.05 in the bank for the MBH Children’s Ward.
“We are rapt with such a huge amount of support this year – it means we can continue the improvements we’ve been making to the children’s ward,” said the acting Nurse Unit Manager Tracey Tonkin.
“Sun FM did an amazing job taking the campaign to the next level this year.  They got dozens of businesses on board and that’s translated into nearly a doubling in the amount of funds raised.
“And the community generosity has been just fantastic this year.  It’s been a real boost to our staff here to have such a show of support.”
Ms Tonkin said some of the money would be used for new pulse and blood-oxygen monitoring equipment and new fold-out beds for parents.
“The beds, in particular, will be great, because the fold-out chairs we have here for parents urgently need replacing,” she said.
“It is often little things – like Mum or Dad being able to get a comfortable night’s rest – that can make a huge difference to helping our patients have a happier stay in hospital.
“We might also be able to look at some more entertainment options like new DVD players for example, that can make the long days here go a bit quicker for the kids.
“We were able to start refurbishing the playroom from last year’s Give Me Five funds and the whole ward is looking brighter as a result.
“It’s a fantastic effort that means we will be able to finish off some more of that beautification work now, and do a few things we really hadn’t been expecting to be able to.”
Local businesses ran promotional days during June, with the Pizza Café, Dominoes, McDonalds, Banjos, the Workingman’s Club, Zambellis, Fasta Pasta and Doms all donating a portion of sales on particular days.  Others donated items for a charity auction, or a percentage of sales of specific items throughout the month. 

Tireless charity worker John Burfitt rattled his tin on several occasions for the cause, and there were also barbecues and cake stalls around the hospital.
“Overall it’s been a fabulous result and we’re grateful to everyone who contributed – the results will be obvious to anyone who visits the children’s ward over the next few months,” Ms Tonkin said.