Got your gear for Wear a Bear Day on October 20 yet? Hurry, Townsville Hospital Foundation mascot Bandi Bear is counting on us!
From little things big things come. Just ask Bandi Bear who, together with the Townsville community, last year raised over $10,000 for health services in North Queensland. And it was so easy, all they had to do was wear Bandi Bear ears ($4) buy a Bandi Bear plush toy ($8) or host a morning tea. Some people did all three and had a lot of fun in the process.
“We’ll be hosting a number of events on the day as well as asking local schools and businesses to join in,” says Marketing & Volunteer Coordinator Megan King. “If you’d like to get involved with Wear A Bear Day and sell our ears or host a morning tea, we’d love to hear from you.”
Over the last decade, the Townsville Hospital Foundation has funded close to two million dollars in projects, with the largest sum being 1.2 million for the redevelopment of the Children’s Ward. The Townsville Hospital Foundation has also funded ground-breaking research, surgical instruments for cardiac surgery, a resuscitation trolley, cuddle cots (so mothers can spend time with stillborn babies) and smaller but no less important items such as TVs, chairs and toys.
Bandi Bear has been the mascot for the Townsville Hospital Foundation since 2013 and is known to attend the Foundation’s events as well as doing weekly rounds of the Children’s Ward, escorted by 1RAR volunteers.
“The 1RAR volunteers are part of a rehabilitation program so it’s a wonderful way for them to get involved in the community while regaining their health,” Megan says.
“The kids absolutely love seeing Bandi. Even when he’s walking through the halls to get to the Children’s Ward he’s approached by families who want to give him a big hug or high five. The staff like to get photos with him too.
“We’re 100 per cent local, so you know all money raised will stay here in North Queensland to assist the Townsville community and our surrounding neighbours. The more we can invest in our local health facilities the less we will hopefully have to send local patients to Brisbane for treatment.”
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www.thfoundation.org.au/wabd/2017