Programs for children in hospitals across Australia have received over $1 million in additional funds thanks to the Coles Curing Homesickness appeal.
Nine hospitals, foundations and pediatric services across the country will benefit from the generous donations of shoppers. In just a two-week period, the funds were raised from donation cards, customer donations, store fundraising and the sale of Mum’s Sause pasta and pizza sauce.
Here in the ACT, local shoppers helped to raise close to $30,000 for the Canberra Hospital Foundation. The funds will go towards establishing the Play Therapy in Palliative Care Program for children undergoing palliative care and their families.
Stores across NSW raised the most funds, collecting $490,000 in the period. These funds will be divided between Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation with $346,000 to help expand the virtualKIDS service, which helps children receive expert care from home. The remaining $144,000 goes to John Hunter Children’s Hospital in Newcastle to help children with sleep disorders receive at-home assessment in a new trial program.
The latest campaign brings the total donated to over $6 million in four years.
General manager of Curing Homesickness, Nicky Bowie says they were taken aback by the generosity and support received. Thanking the Coles Group, she says the funds will make a real difference to lives of sick children and their families across the country.
“We know that every cent raised will have a significant impact in communities right across Australia, be it to help buy virtual reality goggles in Caboolture or equipment and technology for children living with chronic health conditions in WA.”
Coles Group general manager corporate & Indigenous affairs, Sally Fielke says the organisation is proud of how much the community has got behind them in supporting the appeal.
“We’re particularly proud of how our team members have fully embraced the cause by visiting hospitals, donating toys, baking their own cakes for cake stalls and initiating conversations with customers on the important work of Curing Homesickness and their hospital partners.”
Continuing their support year-round, Coles will keep donating 50 cents from every Mum’s Sause pasta or pizza sauce to Curing Homesickness.
Find out more about the Curing Homesickness appeal at curinghomesickness.org
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