THE Mount Gambier community’s philanthropic culture has resulted in a number of donations to the city’s hospital, which has recently renewed its fundraising focus.
Tenison Woods College recently presented the Mount Gambier Hospital with $3800 following the student-initiated “Blokes Wax for Bowel Cancer” fundraising event.
This money will be used by the Bowel Cancer Unit at the hospital.
The cheque was presented by the college’s school captain Evangelia Wichmann during a visit to the hospital by Health Minister Stephen Wade and was presented to Mount Gambier Hospital Health Advisory Council presiding member Maureen Klintberg.
Fittingly, Evangelia is the daughter of prominent Mount Gambier surgeon Matthias Wichmann, who is a renowned bowel surgeon.
Speaking at the presentation, Ms Klintberg praised the college’s contribution and said she hoped to see an ongoing association with the college.
Meanwhile, Goodstart Early Learning Mount Gambier is helping to bring smiles to the children who stay in the hospital’s paediatric unit.
The childcare centre recently donated a selection of toys and portable DVD players to the paediatric unit’s playroom following a fundraiser.
The childcare centre contacted the hospital about what it needed for the paediatric unit, which included Lego and board games.
Hospital paediatric and midwife nurse unit manager Fiona Jeffs said the paediatric unit’s playroom was recently revamped with new cupboards, flooring and decorations.
“Our toys and DVDs were very old. We are fundraising for our young people, which will to continue into next year,” Ms Jeffs said.
She said part of this fundraising aimed to develop a treatment room for young patients, which meant they did not have to undergo treatment in their rooms.
Ms Jeffs said this would lessen the anxiety of children in their rooms.
A number of children from the Goodstart centre recently made a special trip to the hospital as part of the donation.
