Coles staff on the Central Coast have embraced a fundraising appeal by the retail giant to support paediatric programs at NSW hospitals through the Curing Homesickness initiative.
Funds raised in NSW will support the virtualKIDS service at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and enable John Hunter Children’s Hospital in Newcastle to pilot an early transfer home service for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit patients.
Until April 12, Coles shoppers can buy a $2 donation card at the checkout to support Curing Homesickness.
Shoppers can also support the cause by buying jars of Mum’s Sause pasta or pizza sauce throughout the year, with 50c per jar going to a children’s hospital foundation or paediatric service.
Coles’ Central Coast Regional Manager, David Murray, said staff were excited to raise money for Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation’s paediatric-specific virtual hospital.
“It’s a cause very close to the heart of our team members and customers, as we know how travel to major hospitals can be a challenge for Central Coast kids and families,” he said.
“With the funds raised this year, we hope our community can play a part to the virtual hospital.”
Curing Homesickness director Nicola Stokes said funds raised will provide much-needed support for sick kids and their families across Australia.
“We hope Coles shoppers can join us in supporting this simple, effective campaign to make a significant difference in the lives of thousands of sick kids,” she said.
“We believe kids don’t belong in hospital; they belong at home.
“By purchasing a $2 Curing Homesickness card or a Mum’s Sause pasta or pizza sauce, you’ll be helping to fund vital projects to minimise the amount of time kids spend in hospitals.”
Coles and its customers have already raised over $3.4M for Curing Homesickness in just under three years.
Coles Chief Sustainability, Property & Export Officer Thinus Keevé said other projects to benefit included play therapy toys in WA and SA, meningococcal vaccines for adolescents in remote Indigenous communities in the NT, and a ground-breaking program that aims to improve the survival rate and quality of life for premature babies at Monash Children’s Hospital.
“The need is ongoing and we hope our customers will get behind this important cause to fund vital new projects which can make a real difference to sick children and their families,” Keevé said.
For more information about Curing Homesickness, visit www.curinghomesickness.org.
Terry Collins