Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal launch at Southland Hospital

A gathering of our staff and patients at Southland Hospital tomorrow will mark the launch of the 13^th Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal for Southland.

Thousands of Kiwi kids visit hospital wards each year, and this year’s Appeal aims to raise more than $1.1 million to help those in need.

Thomas Walker

Thomas Walker is one of the many children the appeal helps by raising money for much needed medical equipment for children’s wards across the country, including Southland Children’s Services.

Thomas has been a regular at Southland Hospital’s Children’s Ward since he was a baby. He has a primary immune disorder which requires monthly visits to the Children’s Ward for IV immunoglobulin transfusions. This has meant that over the years Thomas has had many acute admissions, Paediatric Acute Assessment Unit visits and outpatient appointments.

Thomas’ parents Jeff and Leanne find it remarkable that Thomas is still happy to go to the Children’s Ward when he needs to.

They are grateful for the wonderful Children’s Ward staff and the funding provided through the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal. They say, “The funding over the years has assisted in creating a child-friendly environment on the ward and has helped purchase specialised equipment enabling staff to provide quality health care to Thomas and other children when they need it.”

Southland Children’s Services are delighted to once again be a recipient of the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal Fundraising says Marie Irvine, Southern DHB’s Clinical Nurse Manager Paediatrics.

“We remain indebted to the many Countdown staff who fundraise on behalf of unwell children across New Zealand. We have been the recipients of many new pieces of equipment and resources which help make such a difference in providing a comfortable and supportive environment for children and their families within Southland.

“The staff within these areas remain grateful for the new technology that the Countdown appeal has made possible to purchase and helped make a difference in supporting families in Southland.”

This year’s Appeal runs from 5 August until 27 October 2019, and money raised in the regions stays in the regions. You can get behind the Appeal by:

• Visiting any Countdown and donating at the checkout
• Buying a wristband or raffle ticket in-store
• Getting involved in your local store’s fundraising activities
• Donating while you're doing your shopping online by selecting Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal as a product.

Launching at Southland Hospital on 15 August, Countdown stores will be working alongside their local children’s wards to host fundraising activities.  From selling cheese rolls to hosting cake stalls, hundreds of Countdown and hospital ward staff will be rallying the Southland community to support the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal.

Celebrating its 13^th anniversary, the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal has raised over $763,829 for Southland since it began through country-wide fundraising activities.

For more information on the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal visit www.countdown.co.nz/community-environment/countdown-kids-hospital-appeal or enquire at your local Countdown store.

MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE LAUNCH:

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Southern DHB Communications Advisor Pauline Chin, on 027 912 2004 or email: pauline.chin@southerndhb.govt.nz
Southern DHB Senior Communications Advisor Melissa Garry, on 027 226 0633 or email: melissa.garry@southerndhb.govt.nz