From recent visits to latest events in the world of non-profit related organisations, read all about it here.
Each year the team from Bunnings Warehouse Townsville visit the Townsville Hospital to hand out presents to patients and spread a bit of Christmas cheer. This year is no different, the 10 team members arrived resplendent in festive accessories including reindeer antlers, christmas crowns and santa hats.
They began by meeting some patients undergoing Rehabilitation ( arriving just in time to finish off decorating some Christmas cookies with the patients before handing out a sack load of prezzies.
The team then ventured to the Children's Ward where they donated a Christmas tree and decorations, handed out Jellybeans and presents, and enlisted some of the hospital's smallest patients to help trim the tree.
The Bunnings team certainly added a bit of Christmas magic to both the Rehab and Children's Wards, leaving the hospital a more festive place.
The visit was made possible thanks to Leigh Brown - Community Involvement, Bunnings Warehouse Townsville and the Townsville Hospital Foundation. Bunnings continue to be a huge supporter of the work of the Townsville Hospital Foundation throughout the year and their assistance towards making the hospital experience better is always greatly appreciated.
At just over one year of age Young Tydhon Hoffman has become the youngest fundraiser to support the Townsville Hospital Foundation.
Tydhon celebrated his first birthday in October this year and donated his birthday money to help critically ill babies in Townsville Hospital's Neonatal Special Care Nursery.
Tydhon and his mum spent some time in the Special Care Nursery after he was diagnosed with a post-partum staph infection and were so inspired by the care they received that they wanted to give something back.
Tydhon's mum and local business woman Nadine Krivkov explains,
"I was in a car accident just 4 weeks before Tydhon was born."
"The shock of the accident, caused Tydhon to defecate while still in the womb which in turn caused the infection."
Although the young family weren't aware of any issues at the time of the accident, it soon became apparent after Tydhon was born that there was a problem with his umbilical cord.
Tydhon was swiftly admitted into the Townsville Hospital Neonatal Special Care Nursery who Nadine credits with helping Tydhon through his challenging first few days.
"The staff were incredibly nice and supportive and did a wonderful job."
"I felt so blessed to be taking my baby home after 3 days and could only imagine how other parents of critically ill babies might feel."
"I decided that we should donate and give back to the people who made it possible for Tydhon to see his first birthday."
In addition to little Tydhon's contribution, Nadine has agreed to work with the Townsville Hospital Foundation to support the Neonatal Special Care Nursery through an ongoing donation arrangement.
1% of all sales made through Nadine's online babywear and gift store, Koochikoo .com.au will go towards helping babies just like Tydhon.
The Neonatal Special Care Nursery is a part of the Townsville Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Babies are admitted to the nursery for procedures that do not require long term assisted breathing support or tubation but that are critical to the development of sick babies in their first hours of life.
535 babies were admitted to the Special Care Nursery last year from throughout the North Queensland region. Contact us today to donate to Townsville Hospital's Special Care Nursery or to find out more
As part of the Townsville McDonalds Crocodiles 3 C's programme run in partnership with ourselves and Walters IGA, local basketball stars Corey Williams and Michael Cedar dropped by yesterday to officially donate a 'kid-friendly' basketball system to the Townsville Hospital Children's Ward.
The basketballing stars spent time shooting hoops with the kids to the delight of the young patients, teaching them some moves and sharing a laugh.
The Townsville Hospital Foundation became involved in the McDonald's Crocs 3 C's for Kids programme (3 c's standing fro Caring, Compassion, Consideration) in 2007. The partnership aims to improve the lives of young patients during their stay in hospital.
Every month the players from the McDonalds Crocodiles visit the Townsville Hospital's Children's Ward to entertain and uplift them. These visits are coordinated by The Townsville Hospital Foundation and the Crocs and through the programme, the Foundation tries to organise child friendly activities such as specially themed craft activities to complement the visits.
3c's receives the generous financial support of Walters Supa IGA who sponsor the programme and who have kindly helped us offer a Croc-themed activity booklet, parent information brochure (giving info on what to expect and what services are available for children & parents whilst in hospital) and today a child friendly basketball system.
Our thanks go out to the generosity of our friends at the Crocs and Walters Supa IGA & we look forward to many happy times spent practising our basketball moves with the kids and the crocs players on future visits to the Children's Ward.
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A new deal has been struck for the benefit of our Rehab patients. 1% of all bookings made between now and mid next year with Flight Centre Fairfield Waters** will go towards funding vital equipment and facilities to help patients regain their mental and physical independance after accident or illness.
The new partnership was launched recently and introduced to Health workers during a lunchtime fundraising barbie.
Patients and staff from the Townsville Hospital Rehabilitation unit got together with representatives from Flight Centre and the Townsville Hospital Foundation to sizzle their way to success raising over $600 through the sale of snags and cool drinks to hungry customers.
Those supporting the beginnings of what is sure to be a valuable lifeline to the Rehab department were also entered into the chance to win $500 worth of holiday vouchers just in time for Xmas.
Unfortunately for those who missed out, this has now been drawn and a winner selected, however future participants in the 1% scheme can expect to enjoy knowing they have helped to improve our patient's recovery!
** Travel bookings must be made through the Flight Centre Fairfield Waters store using the code "THFDREAM".
Thanks to the ongoing support of the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union members a BiPAP Vision Comprehensive System costing in the region of $30,000 is now proving to be a valuable asset to ED staff and patients.
The hi-tech BiPap equipment costs in the region of $30,000 and provides essential non-invasive ventilation support to patients who suffer chronic respiratory illness upon presentation at the Emergency Department.
This donation was made possible by AMIEU members donating $2 of their weekly pay through the Townsville Hospital Salary Sacrifice scheme. It is the latest piece of equipment that has been provided through the generosity of the meatworkers and their participation in the scheme.
The official handover of the BiPAP was held on Friday 16 October and included a gathering of AMIEU representatives, ED staff and ourselves.
