NSW Fire Brigade digs deep for sick kids

The NSW Fire Brigade has been a long-term supporter of The Children's Hospital at Westmead. So much so that they have donated almost $1 million for the Specialist Burns Unit based in the Hospital over the past 15 years.

On Thursday 25 October at 11.00am, the NSW Fire Brigade will hand over the latest instalment of their financial support of The Burns Unit at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. Commissioner Ian MacDougall will hand over a cheque for $60,000 which has been raised through their successful payroll deduction scheme. Over the years other money has been raised through the fundraising efforts of individual stations, golf days and through the NSW Fire Brigade Training College.

In fact the support given to The Burns Unit of The Children's Hospital at Westmead has been so significant that it has actually been given honorary status as No. 2 Fire Station in New South Wales!

Each year The Children's Hospital at Westmead treats 860 children for burns and scalds. Of these children, 190 are hospitalised because their burns are so severe. The most common causes of burns or scalds are from hot fluid scalds followed by contact burns, flame burns and sunburn.

The Children's Hospital at Westmead, which operates the prime children's burns unit in the state, is at the forefront of new methods of treating burns and scalds. New methods include a Laser Doppler Scanner which measures the depth of burns by measuring how much blood is in certain layers of the skin and Negative Pressure Treatment which pulls fluid or inflammatory chemicals out of a burn.

Dr Hugh Martin, Head of the Burns Unit said, " We are thrilled with the support that The NSW Fire Brigade has provided to our Unit over the years. Not only do they donate their time by organising fundraising events, a large percentage of the funds they donated are from their own pocket - through the payroll contribution scheme. The support of NSW Fire Brigade is vital for us to continue to provide top quality treatment to our young patients."

For all media enquiries, please contact:

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