The Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal kicks off this week to
raise funds for children’s wards in hospitals around the country.
The annual campaign, formerly known as the Fresh Future
Children’s Hospital Appeal, is run by Progressive Enterprises between August 1
and October 30. The Christchurch launch is being held at Christchurch Hospital
on Thursday August 4 and media are invited to attend.
The appeal has raised almost $4 million in the last four
years for children’s wards around New Zealand, including dedicated children’s
wards in Christchurch, Dunedin, Waikato and Wellington hospitals as well as Kidz
First Children’s Hospital, Auckland.
Canterbury District Health Board has gratefully received
about $400,000 over that time for its paediatric department to purchase items
such as an informative DVD for children going into hospital, glucose monitors,
intravenous stands and accessories and a range of other equipment.
The appeal involves a series of local and national
fundraising events organised by the team at Countdown, Woolworths and Foodtown
supermarkets and district health boards.
Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal Chairperson Ruth Krippner says
more than 18,000 Countdown team members are behind the appeal and fundraising
activities will be happening across the country.
Nationwide fundraising activities will include an in-store
raffle and knit-a-thon, supported by checkout collection boxes and donations
from selected product sales. Online shoppers can also add a donation onto their
shopping bill. Other activities around the country include a golf tournament,
trivia night and a motorcycle run.