Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal raises $1.1 million

Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal raises $1.1 million for children’s hospital wards

Fundraising effort sees much-needed medical equipment donated to 13 children’s hospital wards

11 December 2015: Months of fundraising efforts by Countdown stores, customers and District Health Board staff have paid off, with this year’s Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal raising more than $1.1 million for children’s hospital wards around the country.

The Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal, which ran from August to October, saw DHB and Countdown staff organise a number of local fundraising activities from cheese roll bake-offs and fun runs, through to raffles and trivia nights. Countdown customers also dug deep making donations in-store that contributed to the $1.1 million total. The funds raised go towards buying essential medical equipment for 13 children’s hospital wards across New Zealand.

Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal spokesperson, Ruth Krippner, says she’s proud of this year’s fundraising efforts: “Life is tough for thousands of Kiwi kids and their families living with illness and injury. This year’s fundraising will go a long way towards helping these children as now hospitals can buy much needed medical equipment to treat the kids.”

“The Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal is part of our commitment to New Zealand communities and their future generations. We’re thrilled to have raised more than $9.3 million for the cause since 2007 with the help of generous Countdown customers, team and suppliers,” adds Ruth.

The Appeal has helped purchase equipment to help with the treatment of children like Izzy Boere, a bubbly three-year-old from Greymouth who is living with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Izzy has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment in Christchurch for almost 18 months. Travelling from Greymouth to Christchurch takes its toll, so life has been made a little easier through the use of Telemed, a two way video service purchased using funds from the Appeal that allows doctors at Christchurch Hospital to monitor Izzy and communicate with her parents in-between trips to Christchurch.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet showed its support for the 2015 Appeal when performers sent a video personalised video to Izzy, who dreams of being a ballerina.

The Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal has also helped children like Elliott Crimp from Rotorua. The youngest of three boys, Elliott has endured more than 40 operations in his short six years after a terrifying battle with meningococcal disease.

Elliott defied the odds by coming out of the experience with no brain damage, though doctors had to remove his toes, two fingers and part of his knees. Through intensive treatment and physio, Elliott has learnt to walk again. Never one to let his health issues get in the way, Elliott dreams of a nail-biting career as a skydiving stuntman. As part of this year’s Appeal Countdown got Elliott close to that dream by taking him to a skydiving similar experience followed by a helicopter ride to take in the view he will experience in his dream career.

Cheque presentations are taking place around the country this week to present the participating hospitals with the funds from this year’s Appeal.

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