PEOPLE of the Mid-North Coast have once again proved their generosity by racking up more than $50,000 in their 10th annual Give Me 5 for Kids charity drive.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Radio station 2MCFM announced the record amount yesterday after 5 cent contributions were tallied from across the region by Holiday Coast Credit Union staff.
Key fundraising events included a bowls day in Macksville, a golf day in the Camden Haven, five on-air auctions during Strawny's Brekky Show and an unprecedented amount of support from local schools, businesses, individuals and community groups.
The station's general manager Mike Crowhurst said: "Give Me 5 for Kids has continued to grow each year with increased community support and the beneficiaries of the campaign will be the paediatric sections of our local hospitals in Port Macquarie, Macksville, Kempsey and Wauchope."
Mid North Coast Local Health District chief executive Stewart Dowrick said the funds will buy specialist paediatric equipment. "We are overwhelmed," Mr Dowrick said.
"Give Me 5 For Kids has funded much-needed equipment for our hospitals for nine years now, and makes a real contribution to what we can do for some of our youngest patients.
"I thank 2MC and its listeners for helping our hospitals so they can better support children and new-born babies who need our help."
The funds will buy equipment on each hospital's wish list, including an MP50 monitor for the special care nursery, a cardio respiratory monitor for babies, height-adjustable baby baths, a vital signs monitor, recliner breastfeeding chairs for the paediatrics room, a haemoglobin unit, neonatal stethoscopes and oxygen saturation probes.
The campaign has raised almost $350,000 since 2005.