By VANESSA VALENZUELA
BRAVE youngsters will benefit from upgrades to the children’s ward at Sunshine Hospital after more than $100,000 was raised at the Western Health Community Race day last month.
The seventh annual Race day held at Flemington Racecourse in December encouraged race-goers to raise much-needed funds for the refurbishment of the children’s ward.
Sunshine Hospital is the third largest provider of paediatric services in Victoria and is in urgent need of equipment and facility upgrades.
Western Health Foundation Trusts, Foundations and Corporate relations manager Simonne Michelle-Wells said the hospital aimed to raise $80,000 at the event but staff were blown away to discover just under $107,000 had been raised on the day.
“It was a wonderful effort and a direct result of the community and corporate sectors coming together to support their local hospital,” Ms Michelle-Wells said.
“We are very grateful to all of our corporate sponsors who sponsored a race or a table on the day and to all those in the room who bid at auction and made donations; the children of the west are the beneficiaries.”
The refurbished Children’s ward will include a play area, redeveloped staff base and corridor area along with the refurbishments of existing rooms and wards.
A total of 26 teddy bears were sold on the day and given to young patients staying at the Children’s ward over Christmas.
“On the day we had some very generous souls who bid upwards of $600 for each bear, which was heartening to see,” Ms Michelle-Wells said.
She encouraged local businesses to get involved in this year’s event and help give back to the community.
“I would urge any local corporate who hasn’t been involved in the Western Health Community Race day before to get involved this year.”
For more information about 2013 Western Health Race day contact Danny Crabb on 8395 8061.