Fresh Future Appeal 2010 Launched at Christchurch

Fresh Future Appeal 2010 Launched at Christchurch Hospital

Staff from Progressive Enterprises handed out gift bags, sang and played guitar to children in one of Christchurch Hospital’s Paediatric Wards today.

The staff visited Ward 21 as part of the launch of the 2010 Fresh Future Appeal at Christchurch Hospital’s Paediatric Department. The annual campaign, which has raised $3 million in the last three years for children’s wards around New Zealand is now in its fourth year.

Last year, Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) children’s services received $75,000 – its share of around $1 million that New Zealanders, including staff, customers and suppliers of Progressive Enterprises, raised in just eight weeks. The funds went to dedicated children’s wards at 10 New Zealand hospitals including Christchurch, Dunedin, Waikato and Wellington Hospitals as well as Kidz First Children’s Hospital, Auckland.

Canterbury District Health Board Manager of Women’s and Children’s Health, Pauline Clark, said: “We are very grateful and very appreciative that Progressive Enterprises choose to invest their precious time in us.” Items bought by CDHB from last year’s appeal include the development of a DVD to inform children about what to expect when they come to hospital, small portable suction units used to help clear airways, and a special chair to assist children who have neuromuscular disorders to be positioned in an upright position. Items being considered for purchase with the funds from the 2010 campaign include more chapters to the DVD, glucose monitors and upgrading IV stands and accessories.

Fresh Future General Manager Brett Ashley said he was very proud and honoured to be involved again this year.

“We do it because we all have some association with children. There is nothing worse than the thought of these beautiful children being sick in hospital. It tugs at all of our heart strings.”

The Appeal runs across Countdown, Woolworths, Foodtown, SuperValue, Fresh Choice, and Dick Smith stores and support offices nationwide. Staff are again organising a range of fundraising activities. In three years the campaign has raised more than $3 million.

CDHB Service Manager for Children's Health Anne Morgan says she is very grateful to the Fresh Future Trust and Progressive Enterprises’ staff for all the hard work they put into raising funds for child health services.

To make a donation during the appeal, customers can place money in collection boxes or buy raffle tickets in stores. Online shoppers can add a $1 donation onto their shopping bill when they shop at www.foodtown.co.nz or www.woolworths.co.nz .

ENDS

© Scoop Media