Quarterly Update (June 2021)
Welcome
We're sure many of you would agree, the first half of 2021 has flown by, and while we head into the second half of this year and the start of a new financial year, there doesn't appear to be any reprieve in our workload in the near future. But….for Mackay Hospital Foundation, that makes us very grateful!
In addition to organising and arranging book sales and bake sales at Mackay Base Hospital, barbecues at Bunnings, and staff recognition events, the small team that is Mackay Hospital Foundation has celebrated many successes with countless events throughout the first six months of this year.
The constantly changing direction due to COVID-19 has meant we have had to pivot, adjust and re-think the way we host events and our interaction with the community. Still, we do our absolute best to ensure we deliver on our commitments.
We receive tremendous support from our corporate donors and our community which, this year alone, have enabled us to provide funding for bottle warmers in the Special Care Nursery, a family sleepover room for palliative care patients, vein finders for Proserpine Hospital, and a shuttle cot to transport our smallest and most vulnerable patients between healthcare facilities.
Funding for essential items at hospitals throughout the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday regions is provided by Queensland Health. Still, there are lengthy 'wish lists' in all hospitals within the Mackay Hospital and Health Service area for projects and equipment which fall outside of Queensland Health's necessities but are beneficial to improving the health outcomes for patients. These are the items and projects which Mackay Hospital Foundation funds.
BHP and Autocorner support for CAU
For those of you who have visited the Children and Adolescent Health Unit (CAU) recently, you may have noticed that the Outdoor Therapeutic Play Space has been looking very tired and needed an upgrade.
Thanks to a contribution of over $160,000 from BHP, this space is about to have a significant facelift and be transformed into a sensory play space that will delight children and families.
DAM Services have been engaged to carry out the work with a start date just weeks away.
While we're on the subject of the Children and Adolescent Health Unit, we have also been very fortunate to be selected as Autocorner's charity of choice this year. Autocorner elected to support indoor revitalisation projects in the unit. With the money raised by Autocorner, the indoor play area will be upgraded and will include activities, furniture, and a mural.
Work on this is also expected to commence in the coming weeks in conjunction with the outdoor project.
Harvey Norman Electrical has very generously contributed televisions and a DVD to the Children and Adolescent Health Unit also.
In June, through their association with the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys, Autocorner arranged for former player Gavin Cooper and executive Luke Wilson to visit CAU, which was a huge thrill for our young patients.
Thanks to Kay from Muscle Garden
One of our constant and regular supporters at Mackay Hospital Foundation is Kay Nyenuh from Muscle Garden Health and Fitness Centres.
Kay holds multiple events each year in support of MHF, the first is the Muscle Garden Charity Bootcamp in February, followed by his traditional 'Years in Oz,' which celebrates the number of years since Kay came to Australia. On 31st October, the Muscle Garden-organised "Get it Done Training" Pioneer Valley Charity Fun Run will occur. This event is in its second year, and already the support for this event has been overwhelming.
With the event starting at Melba House in Marian and continuing along the picturesque Pioneer River, registrations are now open. We expect registration numbers to exceed last year's 150 participants.
This year, Kay introduces an All Abilities section which we think is a wonderful initiative and will appeal to many new participants.
Thank you to Kay for his magnificent support for Mackay Hospital Foundation, and thanks also to the many wonderful sponsors and participants of Muscle Garden events throughout each year.
Building Healthy Futures
Our Building Healthy Futures program was launched in November 2020. Members contribute a $1,000 donation per annum which is tax-deductible, and funds are utilised for 'greatest needs' projects to create a healthy future for our community.
Each year, Building Healthy Futures members are invited, along with other corporate supporters, to join us at the hospital to hear about our achievements and our upcoming projects. At the same time, they have the opportunity to network with other corporate supporters. The first event was held in April this year, with the second event scheduled for October.
We hope to see as many supporters as possible attend our October event and welcome you to reach out to friends and colleagues to become Building Healthy Futures members supporting Mackay Hospital Foundation.
Family Fun Day
Sunday 6th June was the day of the first Mackay Hospital Foundation-organised Family Fun Day presented by Gardian.
With expectations of attracting around 2,500 people at the event, we were overwhelmed with the response when attendee numbers exceeded 4,000, and almost $40,000 was raised in support of Mackay Hospital Foundation.
Thanks to Gardian Group, Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, DGH Engineering, Bounce Now, and Hastings Deering for supporting this event and helping to make the day a huge success.
Thanks also to everyone and every business who donated their time and, of course, to the thousands of attendees who came along to enjoy the day.
We're very much looking forward to a bigger and better Family Fun Day in 2022. We hope you'll join us!
The list of support we have received at Mackay Hospital Foundation since the beginning of 2021 has been phenomenal, and we're conscious of forgetting some significant people and wonderful organisations.
We want to make mention of the support we have received from Anything Environmental, Harvey Norman Bedding, Anglo American, Arrow Energy, Mackay Regional Council, Harvey Norman Computers, Key Solutions Group, Payne Print, SH Tait & Co., Fiesta Rentals, Bright Light Marketing and all other organisations and individuals who have donated funds, contributed time and provided in-kind support.
Every one of you makes a difference to the lives of so many through your support, and we at Mackay Hospital Foundation are incredibly grateful to you.
Did you know?
You can direct your donation to any hospital within the Mackay Hospital and Health Service region (Collinsville, Bowen, Proserpine, Mackay, Sarina, Moranbah, Dysart, or Clermont).
You can direct your donation to any department or unit within these hospitals, such as mental health, renal, oncology, children and adolescent health, day surgery, etc.
We provide recognition for donations to fund specific items and projects (e.g., This children's bladder scanner has been provided by WYZ Company).
Treadwell Tyres are the generous sponsors of the patient transport buggy, which is available to transport patients and visitors from the carpark to the hospital's door. Keep an eye out for it in the hospital carpark.
Mackay Hospital Foundation operates the gift shop at Mackay Base Hospital, and orders can be made online at www.mackayhospitalfoundation.com.au/gift-shop
MHF currently has 84 active volunteers who generously provide their time and services at the Information Desk, Gift Shop, Trolley Service throughout the hospital, Library trolley, playgroup in the Children's Unit, support in Day Surgery and Oncology, plus help with events.
MHF is always looking for new volunteers – do you know someone interested in donating their time?
All donations $2 and over are tax-deductible.
We accept donations of second-hand books and magazines (COVID dependent)