WHEN the phones open on Thursday evening for Westmead Children’s Hospital’s annual Radiothon, Eve Capper is just one of thousands of regional mums hoping the community gets behind the fundraiser.
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She knows all to well the amazing work done by the hospital and its staff, after her son Matthew was airlifted from Bathurst to Westmead for emergency surgery, almost 12 months ago to the day.
Since then Matthew has been admitted to Westmead Children’s Hospital nine times, and had another seven surgeries, and is recovering well.
Mrs Capper said the staff at Westmead Children’s Hospital have been nothing short of amazing through the whole ordeal.
“They really are incredible, we arrived by helicopter and they had staff helping with everything, the staff are so dedicated, and Matthew’s doctor was checking back in on us every couple of hours, I think he was there almost 24 hours a day,” she said.
This year, Bathurst has been selected as the first country community authorised to raise funds for research for Westmead Hospital at its upcoming Radiothon.
The city was chosen after Marian Clark, whose grandson, Christopher, undergoes treatment for a rare genetic condition at the hospital, approached Westmead to see how she could help.
After speaking with staff they suggested she get involved in the radiothon, because every dollar raised during the 24-hour period will be matched dollar for dollar.
The community is being asked to donate, and can do so on line at radiothon.org.au or by calling 1800 770 122, between 6pm on Thursday, November 16 until 6pm on Friday, November 17.
Mrs Clark said it is only during the 24-hour period that people’s donations will be matched dollar for dollar by outside sponsors, and donors supporting the Bathurst Brain Research focus are asked to quote BR1000 when making their donation.
Since announcing the fundraising drive, Mrs Clark said she has been approached by people wanting to donate cash, because they don’y have credit cards or on-line banking facilities.
So for people wanting to donate cash, there will be a small stall operating opposite Target, in Bathurst Stocklands on Thursday, November 16 from 9.00am until 9.00pm and again on Friday, November 17, from 9.00am until 6.00pm.
“We will have volunteers taking cash donations and processing them for those people who don’t have credit cards and online banking,” she said.
She said she’s hoping people support the hospital, which helps kids in the Central West.