Fresh Future children's hospital appeal launches

Fresh Future children's hospital appeal launches today

Children's wards at hospitals around the country are again set to benefit from thousands of dollars raised by the Fresh Future children's hospital appeal, an annual nationwide fundraising campaign led by Progressive Enterprises.

Now in its fourth successful year, the Fresh Future children's hospital appeal has so far donated more than $3 million to New Zealand hospitals, and will kick off with a series of local fundraising events across the country on 2 August.

More than 19,000 staff at Countdown , Woolworths , Foodtown , Fresh Choice, SuperValue, Dick Smith and their support offices are pitching in to help raise funds this year, in addition to medical professionals at the DHBs themselves.

With events including a 500km cycle challenge in Taupo, duathlons, a golf tournament and even a knit-a-thon, there are dozens of ways New Zealanders can get involved to raise much-needed funds for the children's hospitals.

All funds raised go towards purchasing equipment for 10 dedicated children's wards at New Zealand hospitals including Christchurch, Dunedin, Waikato and Wellington, as well as Kidz First Children's Hospital in Auckland, home of the National Burns Centre.

"Progressive Enterprises is passionately committed to continuing its support of these hospitals with the Fresh Future children's hospital appeal, ensuring children around the country have access to the best medical equipment and care," says Peter Smith, Managing Director of Progressive Enterprises.

Spearheading the Fresh Future children's hospital appeal since its inception is Ruth Krippner, Chairperson of the Fresh Future appeal committee.

"In order to meet our targets, we need New Zealanders to get behind these local fundraising events happening in their communities, whether they participate in a race, buy a raffle ticket, knit up a storm or even cheer on participants from the sidelines," says Ruth.

Countdown, Woolworths and Foodtown shoppers can also make a donation at collection boxes in store, or buy raffle tickets to go in the draw to win a family trip to Los Angeles. Online shoppers can add a $1 donation onto their shopping bill when they shop at www.foodtown.co.nz or www.woolworths.co.nz .

The Fresh Future children's hospital appeal raises funds to purchase vital hospital equipment that enables New Zealand's medical professionals give the best possible care to children in hospitals.

Previous appeals have enabled hospitals the purchase of a glidescope for the National Burns Centre, ultrasound machines, chair beds, warming systems, and respiratory monitors, as well as specialised equipment tailored for individual children.

"Vital equipment provided by Fresh Future children's hospital appeal has helped the recovery of thousands of children across the country, but the wish list continues to grow and we need the support of New Zealanders more than ever," Ruth says.

Countdown wants to let shoppers and everyday New Zealanders in local communities know what's coming up so they have the opportunity to show their support at fund raising events and/or donate to the appeal. More information will be available in stores and Countdown expects local papers to back the campaign by covering the various fund raising events around the country.

Visit www.countdown.co.nz for more information about events in your area.

ENDS

About Fresh Future children's hospital appeal:

Fresh Future is an annual children's hospital appeal, with all donations made to the charitable trust going towards ten dedicated children's wards in hospitals nationwide.

Funds raised in 2009 were donated as follows:

Kidz First (Auckland)

$200,000

Tauranga

$140,000

Hawkes Bay

$85,000

Wellington

$85,000

Otago

$80,000

Waikato

$75,000

Christchurch

$75,000

Invercargill

$55,000

Whangarei

$50,000

Greymouth

$50,000

ENDS

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