The Mid North Coast has enthusiastically supported the much-loved children's charity Give Me 5 For Kids resulting in a record $101,546.17 being presented to local public hospitals.
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The funds, raised through radio station Triple M Mid North Coast's annual coin drive, went back to the communities in which they were raised, resulting in $47,680.04 for Port Macquarie Base and Wauchope hospitals, $36,887.46 for Kempsey District Hospital and $16,978.67 for Macksville District Hospital.
The funds will purchase medical equipment on each hospital's wish list and directly benefit children and babies in need of medical attention.
Port Macquarie Base Hospital will use the bulk of its funds to purchase a video laryngoscope for its Emergency Department. The device is a critical piece of equipment for children in ED who are experiencing breathing difficulties.
The hospital's Paediatric Outpatient Clinic will receive a vital signs monitor, and Maternity will receive a phototherapy light for babies who have severe jaundice, as well as a breast milk fridge and pump to help premature and sick babies increase their resistance to infections.
Wauchope's Urgent Care Centre will receive items such as toys and colouring-in books to distract children during procedures, and the hospital will also receive a paediatric wheelchair for short-term loan to Wauchope families.
Mid North Coast Local Health District Governing Board Deputy Chair Neville Parsons thanked Triple M and its longtime supporters, Port City Bowling Club and Kew Country Club, for their hard work in helping to raise the funds, as well as the numerous local businesses who got behind the campaign and Triple M Mid North Coast's generous listeners.
"We are extremely grateful to have the opportunity to thank the people of this community for their incredible generosity," Mr Parsons said.
"Give Me 5 For Kids makes a huge difference in the lives of our young patients and their parents and we want to thank absolutely everyone who contributed to this very special fundraiser."
The 2019 tally brings Triple M's support of paediatric and neonatal patients at Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Kempsey and Macksville hospitals to a remarkable $770,765.80 since 2005.
Triple M Mid North Coast General Manager Mike Crowhurst said he was amazed by the community's remarkable response to the fundraiser.
"Every year the support our local community has for this very important event amazes me," Mr Crowhurst said.
"It is great to see everyone so invested in Give Me 5 For Kids."
