Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal
Every year, Countdown raises funds for 10 dedicated children's hospitals and wards throughout New Zealand through the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal.
Funds raised allow children in the care of hospitals to have access to state-of-the-art equipment that can make all the difference to their recovery.
In 2011, the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal raised $830,000 through hundreds of fundraising events organised over a three month period between August and October. So far, over $4.5 million has been donated since the appeal began.
Some of the items on the hospitals' wish lists this year included a neonatal brain monitor, special light-emitting blankets for babies with jaundice, a and hand-held blood analyser which helps doctors to make immediate treatment decisions.
There are also requests for smaller, but no less vital items, such as breast pumps, stirrups for little legs and magnifying glasses.
Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal Chairperson Ruth Krippner said the appeal relies on grassroots fundraising activities organised by the local stores, district health boards and suppliers.
"Our fundraising activities include soccer and golf tournaments, a motorcycle rally, cake stalls and sausage sizzles, as well as a nationwide raffle, checkout collection boxes and donations from selected product sales," Mrs Krippner said.
"We are a proud supporter of the incredible work these children's hospitals and wards and their staff perform on a daily basis", said Mrs Krippner.
"They are ensuring that our next generation of New Zealanders is getting the best care and attention possible, and we look forward to continuing to support these hospitals in years to come".
Case Study: Kidz First Children’s Hospital
The Kidz First Children’s Hospital in Auckland is home of the National Burns Centre.
The 2010 donation of $120,000 to Kidz First helped purchase a state-of-the-art laser machine last year, to assist with burn injuries in children.
The use of lasers have been proven to help scarring, by reducing visibility, improving skin quality and helping children with burn injuries to lead a normal life.
Spokesperson Michelle Kidd said the hospital was excited to unveil the new laser machine. “The Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal has meant that we are able to offer children a chance at an improved life, by building their self esteem and allowing them to participate in normal, everyday activities,” she said.
Case Study: Grey Base Hospital
The Grey Base Hospital on the West Coast has also received a vital piece of medical equipment through the Coundown Kids Hospital Appeal.
Their new mobile telemedicine unit can now be positioned at a child’s bedside to allow specialists in Christchurch to make better informed clinical decisions that will support the hospital’s paediatric and neo-natal care.
“The mobile telemedicine cart will significantly enhance the paediatric support we offer, in collaboration with Christchurch and other regions,” paediatric Clinical Nurse Manager Dot O’Connor, said.
“At the moment we’re using the telephone to consult with specialists, but being able to see the children and how they present is going to be far more effective and make such a huge difference to the hospital.”
Telemedicine technology is increasingly being used to assist doctors, nurses and health professionals in remote areas of the West Coast by allowing them to consult with specialists about a patient’s condition.
The Fresh Future Appeal 2010
In December, the delight was evident at 10 children’s hospitals as Progressive Enterprises’ Fresh Future Appeal donated money to buy equipment on each hospital’s wish list.
Now in its fourth year, the Fresh Future Appeal has raised a total of $3.8 million for these children’s wards. The amounts given to the hospitals in were:
• Whangarei $33,000
• Kidz First $120,000
• Waikato $103,000
• Tauranga $76,000
• Hawkes Bay $41,000
• Wellington $57,000
• Greymouth $57,000
• Christchurch $75,000
• Otago $80,000
• Invercargill $80,000
Over $800,000 was raised in 2010 and all the funds excluding GST and government levies goes straight to these 10 dedicated children's hospitals and wards across New Zealand
“Again, it is fantastic to be able to support these hospitals, who do so much to improve the quality of life of many children”, says Peter Smith, Managing Director of Progressive Enterprises.
“For example, the donation to Kidz First and the National Burns Unit will purchase a laser for treating scarring caused by burns.
“And in Greymouth, the money will purchase telepaediatric units – teleconferencing units for local doctors to consult with Christchurch paediatricians for patient care”, says Mr Smith.
The Appeal raises money from millions of small acts of generosity from Countdown, Woolworths and Foodtown customers, and Progressive Enterprises’ 19,000 staff.
Ruth Krippner, chairwoman of Fresh Future said, “So many people have contributed in so many ways to help New Zealand’s sick children. Some sponsored 19 riders to cycle 1600 kilometres around Lake Taupo. In Whakatane, around 1100 locals paid for a slice of the world’s longest cake.
And in 160 supermarkets, countless others put their loose change in our donation boxes and bought specially marked hot cross buns and lollipops”, said Mrs Krippner.
The Fresh Future Appeal is very special to all of us at Progressive Enterprises.
It is a privilege to be associated with all of these hospitals and we look forward to supporting them, and sick children, again next year”, says Peter Smith.
