Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal helps Coast kids

5 August 2014

Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal helps Coast kids

Dreams are wonderful things. But despite what we are led to believe, dreams aren’t free and neither are they always easy to achieve. For one-year-old Ruben Stewart, who dreams of one day becoming Superman, he has to be healthy to get there.

The Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal helps children like Ruben by raising money for much needed medical equipment for 10 children’s wards across the country, including Greymouth Hospital children’s ward.

Ruben Stewart was born with a very rare chromosome disorder called Trisomy 9p. Born in Christchurch Hospital, Ruben was transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at only three-days-old. As Ruben got stronger he no longer needed to do the six hour round-trip to travel to Christchurch and was able to continue his care at Greymouth Hospital.

Launching at Greymouth Hospital on 8 August, Countdown stores will be working alongside their local children’s wards to host fundraising activities. From the Charity Walk & Cycle this Saturday 9 August to selling raffles and hosting cake stalls, hundreds of Countdown and hospital staff will be rallying the Greymouth community to support the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal.

Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal Chairperson, Ruth Krippner, says: “Taking part in local activities is a great way to support the children who need us. As a community, we need to raise as much money as we can to support kids like Ruben.”

“We’ve had some incredible feedback from the families who have benefited from last year’s appeal and that inspires us to try and raise even more funds this year. We are proud to support the communities we live and work in and are committed to making a real difference to New Zealanders. This is just one of many ways we get involved and do our bit,” she says.

“One of the first items the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal provided was the Telemedicine equipment, which has been invaluable to Ruben’s continuing care,” says Katrina, Ruben’s mother. Telemedicine means local people can have a ‘virtual’ consultation by video conference with a specialist from Canterbury. “Dot and the team at the Parfitt Ward have been absolutely wonderful. They have been very supportive. I would encourage the community to get behind the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal. It can be a challenging time for any parent and they have helped provide equipment that can help make both the parent’s and children’s experience easier.”

Since 2007, the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal has raised nearly $7 million to help change the lives of sick Kiwi kids.

“The Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal funding allows us to purchase equipment for our paediatric and maternity services, equipment that directly benefits many young Coasters and their families,” Programme Director Michael Frampton says.

Everyone can participate by making a donation or engaging in local activities and raffles. To donate, simply:
• Visit your local Countdown supermarket and donate at the checkout;
• Purchase a Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal wristband or raffle ticket instore;
• Visit www.countdown.co.nz to make a donation through the online shopping website

Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal
• The Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal runs from 4 August to 31 October 2014 and is the company’s largest community initiative each year
• It was previously known as the Fresh Future Children’s Hospital Appeal and has raised nearly $7 million since it first began in 2007
• The Appeal aims to contribute to the growth and development of NZ by supporting the health of its future – Kiwi kids. With health budgets stretched, funds raised by Countdown customers through Countdown stores can help hospitals buy much-needed equipment.
• The Countdown Kids hospital appeal fundraises for 10 children's hospitals throughout NZ: Whangarei Hospital, Kidz First Children's Hospital (Auckland), Waikato Hospital, Tauranga and Whakatane Hospitals, Hawkes Bay Hospital, Wellington Hospital, Greymouth Hospital, Christchurch Hospital, Dunedin Hospital and Southland Hospital.
• In 2014 there will also be additional one-off donations to both Gisborne and Nelson Hospitals.

ENDS

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