Woolworths team digs deep for record donation

Once again our good friends at Woolworths have undertaken another very successful fundraising appeal on behalf of The Children's Hospital at Westmead.

Woolworths will present a cheque for over $600,000 to the Hospital on Friday 26 October 2001 at 3.30pm. This will bring the total raised by Woolworths over seven years to almost $6 million and rank them as our number one corporate supporter.

At this special presentation will be members of Woolworths team from across New South Wales and most of the twenty Hospital Heroes. These are young patients being treated for a variety of conditions who have been chosen as Hospital spokespeople because of their courage and inspiration. The cheque from Woolworths will be accepted by Prof Kim Oates, CEO and Mr Steve Roach, football legend and Goodwill Ambassador for The Children's Hospital at Westmead.

The money donated by the Woolworths team this year was raised through an eight-week appeal during which Woolworths staff worked tirelessly to engender a fantastic community spirit, garnering support for the Hospital from their customers, and all within an atmosphere of fun and enthusiasm. Money was raised through the sale of merchandise, fundraisers such as head shaves, car washes, cake stalls, sausage sizzles and raffles and also through the inaugural Bandaged Bear Race Day at Rosehill Gardens which raised almost $150,000 in one day.

Professor Kim Oates, Chief Executive of the Hospital said, "The Woolworths Appeal is a real example that the partnership between Woolworths and the hospital goes from strength to strength. The Woolworths team is passionate about helping us to provide the highest standards of care, service and equipment for our young patients."

Mr Bruce Buesnel, Chairman of the Woolworths Appeal Committee said, "The Appeal is an excellent staff morale booster, producing great teamwork and giving everyone at Woolworths a real sense of corporate citizenship. Importantly it enables then team at Woolworths to realise their goal of playing a vital role of bringing some hope and happiness to the sick children in NSW and the ACT."

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Julie Stromborg
Public Relations Officer
Ph: (02) 9845 3580
Fax: (02) 9845 3567