Shoppers give kids a health boost

BUNDABERG Health Services Foundation has welcomed a $33,926 donation thanks to funds raised locally during Woolworths' Regional Wall Token campaign.

The four-week fundraiser saw all proceeds from the sale of $2 wall tokens at Bundaberg Woolworths' stores donated back to the Bundaberg Hospital children's ward to fund the purchase of much-needed equipment and resources.

Foundation manager Maria Burnet said the funds raised would be directed to the purchase of non-government funded equipment, which would make a significant difference to help kids like Zander Da Pra, who is a regular patient.

Zander's mum Amy said the family had spent probably three months at home in the past year.

"We are frequent flyers in hospital as Zander has a paralysed stomach, which means he doesn't process food properly and it sits in his stomach for an extended time, causing a lot of vomiting,'' she said.

"He also has issues with the small intestine so we need to feed him through a central line in his chest.

"The Bundaberg paeds ward is great as they manage his day-to-day needs.

"We have weekly blood work and dressing changes to his line and then every second week we are here for iron infusions.'

"It is great to see local dollars being invested back into the community to help us provide the best services and care where we need it most.”

Woolworths Queensland state community liaison manager Michael Muller said staff welcomed the opportunity to fundraise but that it was the everyday shoppers who gave so generously that were the real heroes.

"The success of Woolworths Children's Hospital Fundraising year-on-year comes down to the incredible support of our customers who have shown that even a few dollars donated at the checkout can go a long way towards helping sick kids and their families,” Mr Muller said.

For 30 years Woolworths has supported the Children's Hospital Foundation to make a difference to the lives of our sickest kids.

Woolworths stores across Queensland and Northern New South Wales will continue to support the Children's Hospital Foundation through various in store fundraising activities in 2016.

For more information about the Children's Hospital Foundation visit www.childrens.org.au