Appeal's pasta-bilities for sick kids

Pictured: From left - Hospitals United for Sick Kids CEO Nicky Bowie, Coles team member Ben Thompson and Caboolture Hospital nurse Brianna Horton

Coles has today launched its Hospitals United for Sick Kids campaign - with Caboolture one of the recipients.

The fundraiser, until April 23, will support projects and initiatives delivered by eight hospitals, foundations and paediatric services across the country.

Coles will give 50 cents from every Cucina Matese pasta product sold in its supermarkets and Coles Online to Hospitals United for Sick Kids up to $150,000.

This is in addition to the year-round donation from Coles’ Mum’s Sause pasta and pizza sauce range where 50 cents from every sale goes to the charity.

Customers can also buy a $2 donation card at checkouts during the two-week campaign. For full details click here.

“Many team members have a connection to this cause, having had children, family or friends pass through the doors of a children’s hospital or wanting to make a difference to help sick kids in their community,” Coles Group General Manager Corporate & Indigenous Affairs Sally Fielke said.

Michael Weldon, a Coles ambassador who helped create the range of Mum’s Sause pasta and pizza sauces, has good reason to help.

“My sister spent more time in hospital than at home for the first ten years of her life,” he said.

“Our family pretty much lived in a hospital for six months while she had a transplant. That’s why I jumped at the chance to help develop Mum’s Sause.”

Hospitals United for Sick Kids Chief Executive Officer Nicky Bowie said Coles customers can help by “making small changes” and buying “a participating pasta product, Mum’s Sause or a $2 donation card”.

Hospitals United for Sick Kids is also supporting:

Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation to fund a food service dietician position to help inpatients across the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.

John Hunter Children’s Hospital in Newcastle to fund a Regional Paediatric Virtual Care service across areas such as Tamworth, Manning, Maitland and Armidale.

Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation to boost the transformation of the Waalbiirniny Waabiny Boodja nature-space where patients and families can access the healing power of nature.

Canberra Hospital Foundation to support a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing paediatric care, ensuring specialised support for young patients

Monash Children’s Hospital in Victoria to enhance its Hospital at Home program, aimed at reducing admissions and time spent in hospital.

Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation in South Australia to continue the rollout of its ‘Cocoon Program,’ for medically vulnerable babies from SA and the NT.

The Royal Hobart Hospital Women’s and Children’s Services to further expand their ‘Improving Procedures in Paediatrics’ project.

Coles suppliers Swisse Wellness and Arnott’s will donate 50 cents to Hospitals United for Sick Kids from each purchase of any Swisse Vitamins product (up to $60,000) and Arnott’s Tiny Teddy Biscuits Variety 15 pack or Arnott’s Shapes Variety Pack Biscuits 15 pack (up to $35,000) at Coles supermarkets or Coles Online from April 10-23 April.