Record donation from Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal

Record donation from Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal

The Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal has raised a record sum of $118,459 for Canterbury District Health Board (Canterbury DHB)’s Child Health Division.

The cheque was presented yesterday to Pauline Clark, Canterbury DHB General Manager, Medical-Surgical and Women’s-Children’s Health, by Brett Ashley, Countdown General Manager Supermarket Operations.

The Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal raises money for children’s wards around New Zealand. Hundreds of fundraising events, organised by Countdown team members, suppliers and district health boards, were held over three months between August and October.

The annual appeal has donated millions of dollars for medical equipment for children’s hospitals and wards throughout New Zealand.

Brett says the sum was a “fantastic result” thanks to the generosity of all those involved.

Pauline says the generosity of Countdown and Canterbury DHB staff and the public is “staggering”.

“Year after year I am humbled by the outpouring of support and money raised by the appeal,” Pauline says.

“There are so many good causes out there and we are deeply appreciative that you choose to support us.”

The record donation means Canterbury DHB will be able to purchase all of the items it has on its wish list including; nitrous oxide machines, vital signs monitors, cot mobiles and phototherapy lights, she says.

This year’s ambassador for the appeal was nine year-old Cantabrian, Maddie Collins, who has kidney disease, Nephrotic Syndrome Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and has a donated kidney.

Maddie’s mother, Sarah Collins, says Maddie is proud to be the ‘Countdown Kid’ and see posters of herself in the supermarket.

Being a parent of a child who is a high user of the equipment bought with funds from the appeal on a regular basis, I know this money makes a real difference.”

As a result of Maddie’s role, her school, St Margaret’s College, has appointed her chair of the school’s community council, which does fundraising.

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