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Waikato Children’s Wards Benefit From Countdown Appeal

Waikato Children’s Wards Benefit From Countdown Appeal


The children’s wards at Waikato, Taumarunui, Te Kuiti and Tokoroa hospitals received a $110,813 cheque from the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal yesterday, following a three-month fundraising effort from Countdown staff, customers and suppliers around the country.

The appeal has seen Waikato District Health Board (DHB) and Countdown staff take part in a number of fundraising activities to raise funds for essential medical equipment at children’s hospitals across New Zealand.

Waikids ambassadors for the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal, brothers Tyson and William Karena, both have bronchitis and require ongoing monitoring. Equipment purchased with funds from previous Countdown Kids Hospital Appeals has enabled the boys to receive the care they need.

Tyson and William supported the Appeal again this year, along with their family.


For the 2014 Appeal, Kiwis came together and raised a record-breaking $1.3 million for children’s wards around the country.

Fundraising activities included teams clocking up over 200 kilometres in running and cycling events, baking and selling nearly 7000 cheese rolls, and even head shaves undertaken by Countdown team members including the Appeal’s chairperson, Ruth Krippner.

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Ms Krippner was thrilled with the response to the Appeal, noting how much Kiwis care about their local communities.

“Our goal is to raise as much money as possible to help children in need across New Zealand through the purchasing of much-needed medical equipment. This is part of our commitment to giving back to the communities that we live and work in, and supporting good causes that make life that little bit better for future generations,” she said.

Funds from previous Appeals have been used to purchase essential medical tools such as cardiac monitors and ECG machines; as well as other tools vital to restoring young children back to health such as puzzles, activity tables and toys.

Waikato DHB interim chief operating officer Brett Paradine acknowledged Countdown staff who knitted, ran raffles, played golf and encouraged customers to donate to help support the Waikids service for children and youth provided by the DHB.

“This is hugely important and valued support from the DHB’s point of view,” he said.

“This donation represents the continuation of a tradition that has supported our Waikids services to the tune of $722,000 over the last eight years.

“It will be used to provide a range of equipment to aid care at Waikato Hospital and for the first time at our hospitals in Tokoroa, Te Kuiti and Taumarunui. It is good to see these district hospitals also benefitting from the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal,” said Mr Paradine.

Cheque presentations are being held across the country this week to present the other participating hospitals with the funds from the Appeal.

The Appeal runs for three months each year, from August to October.


Ends

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