By ALESHA CAPONE
A YOUNG patient has urged residents of the West to throw their support behind a fundraising effort to build a family room in the Sunshine Hospital’s children’s wing.
Eleven-year-old Abbey from Hoppers Crossing recently spent 10 days in the hospital undergoing a skin graft after a motorcycle accident.
Her mother, Lisa Towers, said Abbey was operated on after she developed four infections.
“She is alright now, but the carers there are so great I wouldn’t hesitate to take her back to the hospital,” Ms Towers said.
“You couldn’t fault the care there. The staff and nurses just gave 110 per cent.
“When she goes back to school, Abbey wants the principal and the pupils to have a ‘Crazy Hair’ day to raise funds for the hospital.”
In addition to Abbey’s efforts, another fundraising event is being planned to help out with a new upgrade at Sunshine Hospital.
The Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC) has committed to creating a family room in the hospital’s children’s wing.
RMCH family rooms provide a place for families visiting sick children to relax and have some well-deserved fun.
Western Health and RMHC will host a gala dinner at the Moonee Valley Racing Club on 28 March to raise more than $100,000 for the new facilities.
“When children are at the Sunshine Hospital long-stay ward, there is not that much there for them to do,” Ms Towers said.
“I spoke to one of the nurses there and said the nurses painted the ward themselves and painted the flying pigs on the wall 10 years ago.”
Abbey said she would like some touch-screens, used for playing games, installed in the family room.
“At the Royal Children’s Hospital in the city they have everything and at Sunshine Hospital they only have TVs and flying pigs on the wall,” she said.
The gala dinner will be on 28 March from 7pm to 11pm at the Celebrity Room, Moonee Valley Racing Club. Tickets: $150 each and are available at http://www.ticketebo.com.au/sunshinekidsgala
