Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal launch at Dunedin Hospital

Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal launch at Dunedin Hospital

A gathering in the Whānau Room at Dunedin Hospital tomorrow will mark the launch of the 12th Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal for Otago.

Thousands of Kiwi kids visit hospital wards each year, and this year’s Appeal aims once again to raise more than $1.3 million to help those in need.

Five year old Teiana Kerena-Williams is one of the many children the appeal helps by raising money for much needed medical equipment for children’s wards across the country including Dunedin Hospital Rotary Children’s Ward.

Teiana was born at 24 weeks gestation and spent the first eight months of her life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Dunedin Hospital before being transferred to the Rotary Children’s Ward for ongoing care.

Teiana has many medical conditions including hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and developmental delays. Despite these challenges she is a real character. She’s a very cheeky and bubbly five year old who loves being the centre of attention, and doesn’t like to miss out on anything! She really enjoys going to day care and being outdoors. Teiana is one of six girls – she has triplet sisters Anya and Renata and three older sisters who are all very protective of her.

Teiana is a regular patient in the Rotary Children’s Ward at Dunedin Hospital with visits lasting from one night to several months. Her mum Tash is extremely grateful to the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal. “Having the extra items that the Countdown appeal has enabled the hospital to purchase really helps to make Teiana’s stay easier and more comfortable,” says Tash.

“The ward feels like being at home and this really makes a difference to all of us as a family as we spend so much time there – thank you Countdown.”

Southern DHB’s Rotary Children’s Ward Charge Nurse Manager, Shirley Bell says the service is delighted that the hospital has once again been chosen to benefit of the appeal.

“Each year the local Countdown team show such commitment to helping children in our hospital. The money raised makes a real difference - we’ve been able to purchase items for the ward to help improve children and their families stay and make it as comfortable as possible. It’s also enabled us to have additional up to date equipment on the ward which also really helps recovery. We’re very grateful to Countdown and the local community.”

This year’s Appeal runs from 6 August until 28 October 2018, and money raised in the regions stays in the regions. You can get behind the Appeal by:

• Visiting any Countdown and donating at the checkout
• Buying a wristband or raffle ticket in-store
• Getting involved in your local store’s fundraising activities
• Donating while you're doing your shopping online by selecting Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal as a product.

Launching at Dunedin Hospital on 14 August, Countdown stores will be working alongside their local children’s wards to host fundraising activities. From selling cheese rolls to hosting cake stalls, hundreds of Countdown and hospital ward staff will be rallying the Dunedin community to support the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal.

Celebrating its 12th anniversary, the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal has raised $1,092,989 for Dunedin Hospital since it began through country-wide fundraising activities.

For more information on the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal visit www.countdown.co.nz/community-environment/countdown-kids-hospital-appeal or enquire at your local Countdown store.

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