From Checkout to Children's Hospital with Love
50 Countdown and Woolworths Supermarket staff performed Laparoscopic Surgery at Wellington Children's Hospital today for the Wellington launch of the 2011 Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal.
When staff arrived at the hospital, they were surprised to be asked to dress up in hospital scrubs and surgical gloves before performing laparoscopic surgery on a box.
The annual appeal, formerly known as the Fresh Future Appeal, runs nationwide from 1st August - 30th October in Countdown and Woolworths supermarkets since 2007. The appeal has raised almost $4 million over four years to 10 dedicated children's wards and hospitals in New Zealand, including Wellington Children's Hospital.
The Appeal includes a range of nationwide fundraising activities, including a raffle with prizes including a Suzuki Swift, a vMoto scooter and thousands of dollars of grocery and fuel vouchers. Raffle tickets can be purchased in Countdown and Woolworths supermarkets as well as The Gift Shop at Wellington Hospital.
Ruth Krippner, chair of the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal said, "So many people contribute in so many ways to help New Zealand's sick children. Some sponsored 19 riders to cycle 1600 kilometres around Lake Taupo. In Whakatane, around 1100 locals paid for a slice of the world's longest cake. And in 160 supermarkets, countless others put their loose change in our donation boxes and bought specially marked hot cross buns and lollipops" said Ruth.
Funds from the 2010 Fresh Future Appeal enabled the purchase of a Prismaflex Dialysis Machine for Wellington Children's Hospital for use in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 10 Sleep Apnoea Monitors for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.