Coles' support for Hummingbird House

Pictured: Melissa McKinnon, Ellen Whittaker and Jason Smith at Coles Kippa-Ring

Coles Kippa-Ring is rallying behind Queensland’s only children’s hospice Hummingbird House in a month-long fundraiser.

The peninsula supermarket has so far raised $5200 for the Chermside hospice through donation cards and donations at the checkouts.

Melissa McKinnon, mother of Maddy who used Hummingbird House, visited Coles Kippa-Ring on Tuesday to talk about her experience and thank staff for their support.

Hummingbird House is a “home away from home for babies, children and young people living with life-limiting conditions”.

This year marks Coles’ 10th year in partnership with Hummingbird House, during which time customers have helped raise more than $4.3 million.

It has come through barbecues, homemade cake stalls, merchandise and donation cards with artwork by guests of Hummingbird House.

“Hummingbird House’s partnership with Coles was founded in 2014 before our hospice even opened its doors,” General Manager Ellen Whittaker said.

“At that stage, we were still raising funds and awareness to help complete the project. It’s amazing to reflect on how far we’ve come since then.

“Our partnership started with a few stores in Brisbane’s southeast to now the entire state with fundraising in more than 180 stores to help children with a life-limiting illness and their families across Queensland and northern NSW.”

Ms Whittaker said the funds raised at Coles have helped provide resources, fund travel for regional families and help families make lasting memories with their children when knowing their time together is short.

“The need to sustain this service is ongoing as there will always be children living with life-limiting conditions,” Ms Whittaker said.

“That’s why we ask Queenslanders to get behind us again in this year’s appeal by putting a $2 donation card in their shopping basket next time they’re at Coles.”

This year’s Coles fundraising, from September 20 to October 17, will also support:

• Telethon (WA) – Funds go to Telethon who support 107 beneficiaries with life-changing programs, equipment and medical research into childhood diseases.

• Robert Connor Dawes Foundation (VIC) – helping children with brain cancer, the number one disease killer of young people.

• Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation and John Hunter Children’s Hospital (NSW/ACT).

• Make-A-Wish Foundation (SA/NT) – to grant wishes to kid with critical illnesses.

• Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation (TAS) – delivering food education in Tassie schools.

Coles Group General Manager Corporate and Indigenous Affairs Sally Fielke said last year it raised more than $2.8 million.”