BOQ MD Kicks off Appeal With Kids Fun Day
Wednesday, 07/07/2010
BOQ Managing Director David Liddy enjoyed a day out with sick kids at the Royal Children’s Hospital Brisbane today to officially launch the Bank’s annual fundraising appeal, Banking on our Kids, which runs throughout July.
Mr Liddy said BOQ hosted a special event for the appeal at the hospital to give sick kids and their families a day of fun with an animal petting zoo, a magician, face painting, craft making and the chance to paint the famous football boots of Brisbane Lions’ AFL stars.
“We wanted to do something special for these children, who are so brave and courageous, to help take their minds off treatments and procedures for a while and have some fun,” Mr Liddy said.
“I am thrilled to be kicking off our seventh annual appeal in Brisbane today and this year, we’ve set a target to exceed $200,000 and make 2010 our biggest year yet!
“Banking on our Kids is our flagship fundraising appeal and we are all extremely passionate about raising as much money as we can for this great cause.
“So far, the Bank has raised $23,000 towards our total through early fundraising events and donations.
“We will also be auctioning off the Lions’ boots, being creatively painted by the kids today, at the Brisbane Lions v St Kilda game this Saturday to help raise money for Banking on our Kids.
“We’re asking everyone to show how big your hearts are and make a donation to our fantastic appeal.”
BOQ’s Banking on our Kids appeal is unique in that one donation will go to help five different hospitals right around the country.
“Because money donated to Banking on our Kids goes to Children’s Hospital Foundations Australia, which is a partnership of major children’s hospitals in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, by donating once you’re actually helping sick and injured kids right around the country!” Mr Liddy said.
“And it’s not just the kids in capital cities you’re helping either - more than 50% of admissions at these hospitals over the past year were from kids in regional areas who have had to visit their capital city for treatment.
“When you see the amazing change that children’s hospitals can make to young lives and the people around them, you realise that nothing you can do is more important.”
Children’s Hospital Foundations Australia (CHFA) Business Development Executive, Sarah Wyndham said she was really excited about this year’s appeal and confident BOQ would raise enough money to make a real difference to some really sick kids.
“Our job is to invest in research, equipment and services that will help sick kids get better faster and we are sincerely grateful to have BOQ’s ongoing support – particularly through the Banking on our Kids appeal.
“We are confident that the exceptional job BOQ does in getting behind the appeal, together with the support of staff, customers and other big-hearted mums, dads, aunties, uncles, brothers and sisters, will see them reach their fundraising goal of over $200,000 to make a real difference in some sick kids’ lives.”
AFL star Luke Power, who is also a great supporter of Banking on our Kids appeal, was on hand at the BOQ Fun Day to mix with kids and their families and see how the Lions’ footy boots were shaping up in the painting tent.
“These amazing kids spend so much time in hospital and go through so many painful and often scary procedures and treatments, yet through it all maintain a positive outlook and keep smiling through the pain,” Luke said.
“They really are superheroes and deserving of as much help as we can give them.”
To donate to BOQ’s Banking on our Kids appeal, drop into your local branch.
The faces of our appeal
Because the money is going to such a great cause, helping sick kids get better, quicker, we thought you might like to hear about some of the gorgeous kids who you’ll be helping this year.
We have ambassadors from WA, QLD, NSW, VIC and SA, but we thought we’d just show you our local ambassadors.
Sharde – Brisbane, QLD
Childhood Leukaemia
Five-year-old Sharde was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane with a pain in her hips. Doctors sent Sharde for emergency blood tests and X-rays, and before she knew it, she was being treated for childhood leukaemia. Sharde is now in maintenance, which requires monthly treatment at the Royal Children’s Hospital and daily chemotherapy tablets at home.
Jess - Toowoomba, QLD
Liver Transplant
Jess developed auto-immune hepatitis and primary schlerosing cholangitis when she was just 15 months old. These conditions meant that her own body started to reject her liver. At the age of seven, Jess was desperately waiting for a liver transplant to save her life. After 18 months on a waiting list, she finally received her liver transplant in 2008.
Last year, Jess got glandular fever and because her immune system was so low this affected her ability to fight. But, while it hasn’t been smooth sailing over the past few years, Jess’ smile has never been bigger.
Jess is just one of the many children who will benefit from your generosity.
