Saturday’s Light Up Xmas Appeal on Nine has raised over $4.5 million and counting for Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, with companies and viewers around New South Wales digging deep in support of Sydney’s great network of child healthcare services.
The money raised will go towards supporting the vital services of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, Kids Research, the Newborn and paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS) and the only children’s hospice in NSW, Bear Cottage.
It could also help to fund play therapy toys and equipment, specialised cots and paediatric beds, a specialised NETS ambulance, spa therapy and other services.
Ms Nicola Stokes, CEO at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, said:
“We have been overwhelmed by the way the community has responded to our Christmas Appeal. We set an ambitious target of $3 million, and the generosity of corporate partners and community groups and personal donations from the public has been extraordinary, helping us to raise an amazing total of $4,529,906.
“This means we can continue to invest in state-of-the-art equipment and technology for diagnosis and treatment, ensure 24/7 emergency transport for critically ill newborn babies, discover innovative treatments and cures through world-leading research, and provide love and comfort to children and their families needing end-of-life care.
“The outpouring of kindness and support means our excellent network of hospitals and paediatric services can continue to provide the best possible care, when and where it’s needed, and for that I would like to express my heartfelt thanks.”
A star lineup of Nine favourites hosted the broadcast, including TODAY Extra’s David Campbell, Sylvia Jeffreys and Belinda Russell, TODAY’S Brooke Boney, Weekend TODAY’S Richard Wilkins as well as newsreader Peter Overton.
Viewers were also treated to performances by multiple ARIA Award winner Delta Goodrem, family favourites The Wiggles, the great Australian pop group Human Nature, Masked Singer winner Bonnie Anderson, Eurovision finalist Dami Im and Aussie singer-songwriter G Flip.
Throughout the day we met and heard from:
- The remarkable Miles brothers, one of whom is living with cerebral palsy and the other who has overcome brain cancer.
- A courageous eight-year-old girl with a rare genetic condition known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome affects the connective tissues supporting skin, bones and blood vessels.
- The resilient young girl now aged ten who was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition known as Moyamoya Disease after waking up one morning covered in yellow bruises and struggling to get out of bed.
- And the extraordinary young boy diagnosed with kidney disease while in utero.
Every year, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick care for more than 150,000 children, seeing more than 88,000 children through their emergency departments and performing more than 18,000 operations.
Bear Cottage supports 200 children and families with life-limiting illnesses during respite visits, NETS continues to work closely with 252 hospitals across NSW, receiving an average of 11 calls a day involving hours of consultation and support while the Kids Research organisation continues working towards new treatments and cures, conducting more than 200 clinical trials a year.
Donations can still be made to the Light Up Xmas Appeal by going to lightupxmas.org.au or calling 1800 244 537.
