By Michael Newhouse
IRENE Kayler-Thomson has been raising money for more than a decade for Sunshine Hospital.
It’s always been a labour of love for the president of the hospital auxiliary, but this year there’s something very special about her efforts.
Ms Kayler-Thomson and her fellow auxiliary fundraisers hit a record amount by raising a staggering $40,000 between July 2005 and June 2006.
Sunshine Hospital chiefs have already used the money to buy an infant incubator and two heating lights, which will help in the nursing of premature babies.
And last week Western Health CEO John Evans, and staff at the hospital, officially thanked the women of the auxiliary for cash to buy equipment for the Special Care Nursery by treating them to morning tea.
“What they are doing this morning is not necessary,” Ms Kayler-Thomson said when Star dropped in on the celebrations.
“It brings its own reward.”
She was a bit uncertain about all this unnecessary attention being heaped on the auxiliary, and on her, but admitted it was good to see the group’s work recognised.
“This year it was more or less spent before we gave it to them, because they needed the equipment for the babies and the maternity ward so badly,” she said.
Mr Evans spoke warmly of the auxiliary, which he said had contributed more than $150,000 since it began back in 1990.
And he thanked members for the community feel they brought to the hospital.
“It’s the heart and soul of Sunshine Hospital,” Mr Evans told people at the morning tea, praising the auxiliary’s robust spirit.
Ms Kayler-Thomson founded the fund-raising group with fellow founder Gloria Williams, and they have seen the auxiliary blossom to a membership of 24.
The group originally began selling bits and pieces left over from a fete but, these days, the regular sausage sizzles, the auxiliary shop and other fundraising concepts bring in most of the money.
Ms Kayler-Thomson said the group expected this year to raise even more than last year’s record, but admitted that would take some work.
