Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal Donates $1.3 million

Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal Donates $1.3 million to Kiwi Children’s Wards

02 December 2014: Over the last three months, Countdown and District Health Board staff from around the country have taken part in fundraising activities for the annual Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal. From baking cheese rolls to organising a car poker run, the teams have banded together to raise a record-breaking $1.3 million for New Zealand’s children’s wards.

Fundraising teams have clocked up over 200 kilometres in running and cycling fundraising activities as well as baking and selling nearly 7000 cheese rolls. Some Countdown employees, including the Appeal’s chairperson, Ruth Krippner have even had their heads shaved to help raise funds for much-needed medical equipment.

V8 racing star Greg Murphy showed his support for the 2014 Appeal when he gave three-year old Wiremu Le Comte, a national ambassador for the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal, a chance in the driver’s seat. Wiremu, who one day dreams of becoming a race car driver, was born with club foot and has undergone seven extensive operations at his local Bay of Plenty Hospital. He has been a regular user of a monitoring system purchased with the funds from previous Countdown Kids Hospital Appeals.

Ruth Krippner is thrilled with the response to the Appeal, saying, “We are extremely proud of everyone’s efforts throughout this Appeal. We’ve now raised more than $8.2 million since it first began in 2007, thanks to the generosity of our Countdown customers, team and suppliers. This year’s phenomenal sum will go a long way towards helping children who are admitted into the care of their local children’s hospitals.”

“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,” says Ruth.

The Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal, which runs from August to October each year, has enabled hospitals to purchase essential medical tools such as cardiac monitors and ECG machines, as well as puzzle books, activity tables and toys – all of which play a vital role in restoring young children back to health.

Cheque presentations will be taking place around the country this week to present the participating hospitals with the funds from the Appeal.

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