Coles has recently provided a funding boost to children’s hospitals all over Australia to assist in delivering essential and innovative programs, including the procurement of VR goggles for sick Caboolture children.
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In 2022, The Common Good, a charity organization, utilized funds from the National Curing Homesickness initiative to procure virtual reality or VR goggles. These devices offer young patients an immersive and interactive experience while receiving treatment in the Paediatric Unit at Caboolture Hospital.
One brand of VR goggles has been subject to a study that proved its efficacy in diminishing a child’s pain by up to 60 per cent. This in turn helped reduce the need for restraint by 48 per cent whilst undergoing needle treatments like blood tests, vaccinations, and chemotherapy. These goggles further facilitate fast and sedation-free completion of procedures, decreasing the likelihood of prolonged hospital stays.
According to Michelle Hutch, the Nurse Unit Manager for the Paediatric Unit at Caboolture Hospital, the goggles served as a distraction for children while clinical teams administered treatment, taking them on virtual reality adventures.
Fundraiser to improve the lives of sick children and families
Last March 2023, Coles Curing Homesickness appeal was able to raise more than $1 million for nine children’s hospitals, foundations and paediatric services in Australia. The funds collected from the appeal will assist the Curing Homesickness hospital partners in carrying out crucial pediatric projects, including the purchase of virtual reality goggles for sick Caboolture kids.
According to Nicky Bowie, the General Manager of Curing Homesickness, the hospital beneficiaries and Curing Homesickness were amazed by the support provided by Coles and its customers.
“Curing Homesickness and our hospital partners are incredibly grateful and thankful for the support shown and given by Coles and its customers over the past two weeks,” she said.
“Funds raised will help make a real difference to the lives of sick children and their families across Australia and we can’t thank Coles team members and customers enough for their support.”
“We know that every cent raised will have a significant impact in communities right across Australia, be it to help buy virtual reality goggles in Caboolture or equipment and technology for children living with chronic health conditions in WA.”
Raised funds to go towards pediatric projects across Australia’s children’s hospitals
Coles has contributed more than $6 million to Curing Homesickness in the past four years Curing Homesickness Appeal Raises Funds for Pediatric Projects Across Australia’s Children’s Hospitals through donations cards, customer donations, store fundraising, and sales of Mum’s Sause pasta sauces and pizza sauce, with 50c from every product sold year-round going to the cause.
Coles Group’s General Manager of Corporate & Indigenous Affairs, Sally Fielke, expressed the company’s pride in their customers and team members for their involvement in the Curing Homesickness appeal.
Fielke stated, “Our customers and team members across Australia are continuing to take community fundraising and engagement to the next level, as demonstrated by the success of this year’s Coles Curing Homesickness appeal.”
She also highlighted the efforts of Coles team members in supporting the cause, such as visiting hospitals, donating toys, baking cakes, and discussing the important work of Curing Homesickness and their hospital partners with customers.
Shoppers rally to support Coles Curing Homesickness Appeal
Coles stores in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland raised a significant amount of funds for children’s hospitals through the Coles Curing Homesickness appeal. Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation and John Hunter Children’s Hospital in NSW received over $490,000, Monash Children’s Hospital in Victoria received $211,000, and The Common Good in Queensland received $169,000.
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The top fundraising store was Coles Eastgardens whilst Coles Amaroo in the ACT and Coles Firle in South Australia were also among the top five most generous stores.
To support the causes and initiatives of Curing Homesickness hospital partners in each state, shoppers can purchase Mum’s Sause pasta or pizza sauce, with 50 cents from every sale going to the cause throughout the year.
Published 15-April-2023
