Embrace spirit of giving on Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day

The countdown is on to the second annual Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day on Friday, October 14, a day jam-packed with opportunities to have fun and support a great cause.

Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day is the main fundraising activity for Raise it for Redcliffe, a partnership between the RBWH Foundation and Redcliffe Hospital.

“The build-up to Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day has again been simply inspirational,” RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske says.

“The level of community involvement has created such excitement that we are incredibly hopeful of reaching the fundraising target needed to fund some extraordinary projects this year.”

The aim of Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day is to raise money for improved patient care, life-changing health research and other hospital initiatives which support the health and wellbeing of the community and are beyond the scope of government funding.

You can donate online at redcliffegivingday.com.au or by phoning 1300 363 786. All donations received by Friday, October 14 will be doubled by Raise it for Redcliffe Impact Partners.

How will the money be used?

One of the main projects earmarked for funding is adding a ‘touch of home’ to the Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Units.

“The additional funds allow us to improve facilities for patients, particularly those who may stay in hospital longer, such as those needing palliative care or rehabilitation,” Dr Catherine Yelland, Redcliffe Hospital Medical Director, Medicine Service Line says.

“People eat better in communal setting, and encouraging activity - games, a puzzle, television, talking - improves our mood and motivation.”

Dr Yelland says money raised will refresh the patient lounge and outdoor courtyard, which are currently looking tired and uninteresting.

“In rehabilitation, we encourage ‘eat, walk, engage’. This means patients get out of their beds, get dressed, have meals in the dining room, and spend time with our staff or their families in communal areas.

“In palliative care, we plan to open up our existing lounge, and make a larger, more attractive area, that merges with our outdoor area.

“This will be much more pleasant for our patients and families when they visit, whether to go there together, or have some quiet time by themselves.”

Making a difference

Someone who understands the value of beautiful surroundings while undergoing rehabilitation is Mark Adams, who spent about one year in the unit at Redcliffe Hospital from the end of 2020.

He says spending time in the rose garden changed his outlook on life and helped him see a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ after a brain injury left him unable to move or speak.

“It was a lot more than just smelling the roses, so to speak,” he says.

“It brought some of the outside into my life. I could go outside and see a bit of colour,” Mark says.

He says it helped his mental health and enabled him to see there could be a bright future.

“Being touched by nature and being able to see how beautiful the world is … I chose to fight,” he explains.

His first goal was to move one of his fingers and after trying for two or three days, after that visit to the garden, he managed to do it. The achievement took nursing staff by surprise and with the movement of his eyes, he was able to confirm to them that he was doing it intentionally.

“They said it was a miracle,” he says.

Mark then worked on moving his hand and since then has regained the ability to speak and can move around in a motorised wheelchair.

He says it would be great for patients and visitors to have an area with a lounge and pictures on the wall, that they could use rather than gathering around a hospital bed.

Mark would also love to see the garden area improved, perhaps with a fish pond and bird aviary.

“It would make you feel like you’re in touch with nature for a bit. That would be awesome,” he says.

What’s happening on Giving Day?

Again this year, the main activity hub will be the Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day Radiothon, hosted by 99.7 Bridge FM. The Bridge FM park, on Anzac Ave, will provide the perfect lunch-time setting for hot rod car displays, a concert, prize wheel and sausage sizzle.

Ways to get involved:

General public

99.7 Bridge FM Radiothon

Friday, October 14 (9am-6pm with live entertainment from 10am-2pm)

Bridge FM park, 75 Anzac Ave, Redcliffe

Come say hello and meet the 99.7 Bridge FM as they broadcast live in support of Redcliffe Hospital. The radiothon will include live performances, a sausage sizzle, prizes and much more.

Hospital patients, visitors and staff

Hospital Bake Sale

Friday, October 14 (9am-noon)

Redcliffe Hospital, Anzac Ave, Redcliffe

This Giving Day, the Redcliffe Hospital team will be cooking up a storm to fundraise for their hospital. Help 'bake' the world a better place by supporting their efforts.

Food Trucks

Friday, October 14 (10am-2pm)

Redcliffe Hospital, Anzac Ave, Redcliffe

Grab a bite at Redcliffe Hospital (on your left as you drive to the multi-storey carpark). The Dagwood Dog Guy, Potatoes, Japanese and for your sweet tooth, O-Cannoli will be there. Treat yourself to support Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day.

Giving Day finale

Giggle Trivia Show

Friday, October 14 (6-9pm)

Redcliffe Golf Club, Handsworth St, Clontarf

End Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day with a bang by inviting your friends and family to My Care Enterprises and Giggle Group's ultimate trivia night. Prizes, dinner and cash bar available. Book your table of eight now at www.trybooking.com.au/CCYIJ

SchoolAid fundraising

Support your local schools – state, Catholic and private primary and high schools – who are raising it for Redcliffe Hospital through SchoolAid

https://www.schoolaid.org.au/t/redcliffepeninsulaschoolsgroup

Grateful for support

The team at Raise it for Redcliffe are grateful for the community’s support again this year.

“It’s so heartening and gratifying to witness the level of community support and leadership of local business,” Ms Garske says.

“If it weren’t for community partners like Lewis Leisure (The Komo and The Belvedere), GKS Law, BallyCara, Crew Legal, Dynamic Bradview Roofing, Holistic Horizons Support Services, Team Musicare, RAMS Home Loans Moreton, Redcliffe RSL, The Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise, My Care Enterprises, Lumber of Love, Redcliffe District Local Medical Association, Marendy Medical, Bunnings and many more individuals and groups, Raise it for Redcliffe could not achieve the successes and triumphs it has.”

To keep up to date with the latest events, follow the Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital Facebook page.