Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal
Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal Raffle
Thank you for all your support of the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal Raffle. All proceeds raised will help give sick kids a fresh future.
Raffle Winners:
1st Prize Suzuki Swift LTD Automatic Alice Rowse Ashburton
2nd Prize $5000 Grocery Vouchers plus $5000 Fuel Vouchers Adele Demmocks Blenheim
3rd Prize $2500 Grocery Vouchers plus $2500 Fuel Vouchers B. Marshall Howick
4th Prize Vimoto Milan JX 50cc Scooter, crash helmet and $500 fuel vouchers Kyle Stewart Timaru
5th Prize Apple iPad 2 L.Dravitzki Pukekohe
6th Prize Sony 32inch LCD TV Lynn Grady Waikanae
7th Prize Chopper Bike Bryan Gilchrist, Renwick
Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal gives sick kids a fresh future
The Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal is calling on New Zealanders to dig deep and help raise funds for children’s wards in hospitals around the country.
This year’s appeal officially launched at the start of August and kicks off with series of local and national fundraising events organised by the team at Countdown, Woolworths and Foodtown supermarkets and local district health boards.
Now in its fifth year, the annual appeal has so far donated almost $4 million to 10 dedicated children’s wards at New Zealand hospitals.
It was previously known as the Fresh Future Children’s Hospital Appeal, and although the appeal is sporting a makeover, it still benefits the same great cause – it’s still all about the kids.
Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal Chairperson Ruth Krippner said more than 18,000 Countdown team members are behind the appeal and fundraising activities will be happening across the country.
“Whether it’s buying a raffle ticket or sausage sizzle, participating in a fun event or cheering on some of our dedicated supporters, there are dozens of ways New Zealanders can get in behind the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal,” Ms Krippner said.
Nationwide fundraising activities will include an in-store raffle and knit-a-thon, supported by checkout collection boxes and donations from selected product sales. Online shoppers can also add a donation onto their shopping bill. Other activities around the country include a golf tournament, trivia night and a motorcycle run.
All funds raised during the appeal period, from 1 August to 30 October, go towards purchasing medical equipment for 10 dedicated children’s wards at New Zealand hospitals including Christchurch, Dunedin, Waikato and Wellington, as well as Kidz First Children’s Hospital in Auckland, home of the National Burns Centre.
What we have raised...
Managing Director of Countdown, Dave Chambers, said the company was a proud supporter of these hospitals and the support they provide to New Zealand children.
“Our goal is simple and that is to raise money for sick children around New Zealand. Whether it’s a dialysis machine or an IV pole, we know the funds raised make a difference in the hospitals to ensure patients get access to the best possible care and medical support. This year we hope to beat our fundraising record and cross some more items off our hospitals’ wish lists,” Mr Chambers added.
Kidz First Children’s Hospital
The Kidz First Children’s Hospital in Auckland is home of the National Burns Centre.
Last year’s donation of $120,000 to Kidz First helped purchase a state-of-the-art laser machine 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 says the hospital is 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 says.
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.
