Redcliffe Giving Day success

The community opened their hearts and purses for Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day on October 14 to ensure patients who face lengthy recovery or are in the final stages of life can enjoy ‘touches of home’ while they are cared for in the Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Units.

RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske has paid tribute to the extraordinary generosity of Giving Day donors who raised just over $224,000.

“Redcliffe Hospital staff have long wished to transform and refresh the Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Units’ patient lounges and outdoor courtyards with furnishings and décor that add warmth and charm,” Ms Garske said.

“The impact of this incredible generosity will assist patients and their families, now and into the future.”

Former stroke patient Vicki Templeman spent four months in the hospital’s Rehabilitation Unit and experienced first-hand why a family-friendly environment was so important. Vicki’s first grandchild, Penny, was born and taken to see her, for the first time, in the unit’s patient lounge.

“Mum loves the thought that if anyone else has to be in the Rehabilitation Unit for as long as she was, that they could have a lovely garden to enjoy and a beautiful cafe-style lounge to spend time with family and friends during the long months of recovery,” son Ben Templeman said.

Check out the photo gallery

Community effort

Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day is the main fundraising activity for Raise it for Redcliffe, a partnership between the RBWH Foundation and Redcliffe Hospital. Every donation made on the day was doubled by Raise it for Redcliffe Impact Partners for twice the impact.

“We are so incredibly indebted to the region’s business and community leaders who joined with us and took the lead as Raise it for Redcliffe Impact Partners,” Ms Garske said.

“If it weren’t for community partners like 99.7 Bridge FM, Lewis Leisure (The Komo and The Belvedere), GKS Law, Ballycara, Crew Legal, Dynamic Bradview Roofing, , Holistic Horizons Support Services, Team Musicare, Moreton Bay Regional Prostate Cancer Support Group, RAMS Home Loans Moreton, Redcliffe RSL, The Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise, My Care Enterprises, SchoolAid, Electronic & Mechanical Callibrations, Redcliffe District Local Medical Association, Marendy Medical and many more individuals, schools and groups, Raise it for Redcliffe could not achieve the successes and triumphs it has.”

Redcliffe Hospital staff also embraced the day with Occupational Therapist Jacqui Nix cutting her lengthy locks to raise just over $2700. Jacqui then donated the hair to make wigs for the hospital’s cancer care patients.

The hospital’s Red Hot Baker stall has now reached legendary status for the quality of baked goods and raised almost $4000.

Fun aspect to the day

The main activity hub again this year was the 99.7 Bridge FM Radiothon, complete with hot rod car displays, lunchtime concert by Team Musicare, prize wheel and sausage sizzle.

A star performer on the day was local six-year-old singer, Stevie, who stole hearts with her performance of the Australian classic, We are One, in English and the Yawuru Indigenous language.

“Stevie has been singing since she could talk,” Team Musicare Founder Dan Nebe said.

“Stevie was recently diagnosed with Autism and ADHD and finds music a wonderful way to express herself.”

Leading the charge to the Bridge FM Radiothon was a trio of local cycling celebrities - Dr Joel Dulhunty, Redcliffe Hospital Director of Research, on his signature pennyfarthing; 32-year-old Holistics Horizon Ambassador Nathan McDowell on his hand cycle, and Nathan’s cycling partner and support worker Matt Bell.

“In a community as tight-knit as the Moreton Region, almost everyone has a connection to Redcliffe Hospital,” RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske said.

“When we talk about making the difference that Giving Day makes, we’re making that difference for your family, your friends, your staff and your neighbours.”

Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day helps to advance patient care and life-changing research, and Hospital wish list grants. Donations can be made at www.raiseitforredcliffe.com.au Follow Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital on Facebook for more photos and videos from the day.