Stolen Toys Replaced

In July, two mean spirited people broke into the Play Specialist's room in Ward 18 at Wellington Children's Hospital and stole laptops, Playstations, Xboxs and other toys!

The culprits were caught in Taumaranui - when they broke into a hotel! - but unfortunately very little of the stolen items were recovered. Our staff at Wellington Hospitals & Health Foundation (the official charity for Wellington Children's Hospital) were so shocked at this theft that we approached the Dominion Post who ran adverts in the paper asking for members of the public to donate funds and toys to the 'Stolen Toy Appeal'.

The adverts had run for only a few days when radio station Newstalk ZB picked up the story. Donations starting coming in from the public and then Microsoft phoned us. They had two XBOX 360's for our Sick Kids!

Pretty soon Campbell Live also ran an article about the theft. Then the generousity of New Zealander's really showed itself. We received televisions, Playstations, XBOXs, Guitar Hero, Buzz games, a Nintendo Wii, laptops and more! Items came from Sony, Noel Leeming, Kodak, BNZ, ANZ, Kiwibank, the Wellington Harley Owners Group and members of the public from Wellington, Hamilton, Auckland - Everywhere!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

Once all of the donations where collated, they were presented to Wellington Children's Hospital by the Foundation, the Wellington Harley Owners Group, Newstalk ZB and TV3. The staff and children were overwhelmed by everyone's generousity and look forward to making good use of these donations - particularly the long stay and frequent visit patients! Here are some photos of the journey and absolutely ecstatic kids!

The Dominion Post photoshoot:

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