Needing A Big Truck

MEDIA RELEASE – 29 October 2010

Needing A Big Truck

On Monday, the Children’s Ward at Wellington Hospital will be getting a very special delivery.

$10,000 worth of toys!

Wellington Children’s Hospital goes through almost $3,000 worth of toys every three months.

It takes a lot to keep the almost 5,000 children who are patients in Wellington Children’s Hospital each year occupied.

Children’s Hospitals two play specialists, Kate Marchant and Megan Stothart say support from the public helps them to do their jobs. It means that all young patients can keep up with modern games and toys.

The need is great and the Hospital system is unable to provide items like toys so we rely on public support says Kate Marchant.

When Lotto Presenter Kyllee King Turner, mother of Cleo, a patient at the Paediatrics Oncology ward put the call out to Wellingtonians to help … the response was overwhelming.

“Toys are an absolute essential. Kate and Megan simply can’t do their good work without them. So we asked Wellingtonians to help. We just couldn’t believe the response. $10,000 worth of toys! Can you believe it?”

The generosity of the public was matched dollar for dollar by Toyworld. “Ever wanted to know what $10,000 worth of toys looks like?” asks Phillip Bramely of Toyworld. “We’re going to need a pretty big truck!”

The toy drive was driven by local radio station The Breeze, where Kyllee used to host a show with announcer Steve Joll.

“I never had any doubt that Breeze listeners wouldn’t grab this opportunity to help. But I just had no idea just how generous people really could be” says Kyllee.

Play Specialist Kate & Megan, say the massive supply of toys will be hugely beneficial to the children and can’t wait to see their faces when the toys arrive!

Bill Day, Chair of Wellington Hospitals & Health Foundation expressed a big thank you to Kyllee and Cleo and to all donors who have made a difference at Wellington Children’s Hospital.
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