Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day success

Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day has raised almost $200,000, which will kickstart refurbishment of the Children’s Ward playroom for patients such as toddler Lewis Mika.

Eighteen-month-old Lewis was born with KCNK9 Imprinting Syndrome. There is only one other case in Australia, and 40 globally, which have been documented.

Symptoms include low muscle tone, speech and motor impairment, potential behavioural abnormalities and intellectual disability, and distinctive facial features.

For families like the Mikas, the Redcliffe Hospital Children’s Ward is a second home, with the playroom and parent lounge at its heart.

“Every time I enter the playroom, it is clear that the room is played with, and it pleases me that a small amount of joy is brought to children at their most vulnerable,” Lewis’s mother Julia says.

“It also provides a much-needed change of scenery for parents and kids, away from the very clinical hospital room.”

Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day was held on August 29, generating enormous support from Moreton Bay business leaders, hospital staff and the public. 

See the photos in the gallery below

Funds raised support health research, patient care projects and other hospital initiatives that fall outside the scope of government funding. Almost $1 million has been raised during the past four years.

RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske says the event’s success was thanks to the support of Impact Partners, who doubled every donation received for Giving Day.

“Without our Impact Partners, donations wouldn’t be doubled and we wouldn't be as effective in encouraging others to give,” Simon says.

Impact Partners included Lewis Land, GKS Law, BallyCara, Sesame Lane, My Care Enterprises and Crew Legal.

Simone also thanked media partner 99.7 Bridge FM, which broadcast from Redcliffe Hospital throughout the day, as well as Dolphins NRL, Redcliffe Hospital Auxiliary, The Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise, Team Musicare, Tom’s Law, REDDY Fun and Fitness and the RBWH Foundation and Redcliffe Hospital teams who added to the festive spirit.

Planning can soon begin to renovate the Children’s Ward playroom. Acting Clinical Nurse Coordinator Alyssa Kemp says the vision is a space that caters to all age groups.

“We would like the space to be welcoming and adaptable to use as a play area, parent workspace and a space where families can step away from the clinical area and watch TV or a movie together and have a meal as though they were at home,” Alyssa says.

Learn more about how Giving Day donations are distributed or donate at www.raiseitforredcliffe.com.au

Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital is an initiative of RBWH Foundation in partnership with Redcliffe Hospital. All donations support Redcliffe Hospital.

See the photo gallery (click through)

Photos courtesy of the RBWH Foundation and Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital.