Over $315,000 raised by Calvary Mater Newcastle Auxiliary
3rd August 2017
Calvary Mater Newcastle staff and guests from the local community joined together to congratulate members of Calvary Mater Newcastle Auxiliary ‘Cancer Carers’ as they presented a $315,229.56 cheque to Calvary Mater Newcastle at their Annual General Meeting on Thursday 3 August.
After fundraising tirelessly throughout the year, this extraordinary group once again managed to astound everyone present with their significant donation.
The hospital’s Auxiliary is a group of 30 dedicated volunteers, both men and women, ranging in age from 57 to 98 years. To achieve this staggering fundraising feat throughout 2016/17 the Auxiliary worked approximately 43,358 hours in total, equating to $8,855 being raised per member, a huge achievement.
Roz Everingham, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Calvary Mater Newcastle, said, “Every year the Auxiliary manages to amaze hospital staff and the community with its significant donation, with this year being no different.
“However, what makes our Auxiliary special is the members’ wonderful presence at the hospital and how they are embedded into hospital life. Our Auxiliary members bring with them boundless energy, enthusiasm and dedication, to assist the hospital in providing our patients with the very best care. This hard work is appreciated by staff, patients and the community who encounter their compassionate fundraising efforts and smiling faces.”
Over the past year the Auxiliary has purchased hospital equipment and made donations to the hospital to value of $182,407.68, with further equipment to the value of $120,594 on order.
Equipment purchased on behalf of the hospital in the 2016/17 financial year has included: treatment chairs, patient recliner chairs, blanket warmers, blood pressure machines, entertainment trolleys for adolescent and young adult patients, vital signs monitors and a rehabilitation lifter device.
Elaine Wellard, Auxiliary President, said, “Our Auxiliary comprises of a wonderful group of people who want to make a difference in the community that we live. However, the support that the Auxiliary receives spreads beyond our members and into the wider community, who are so generous with the donations they give both monetary and craft. Together we are able to raise vital funds for the hospital every year.”
The Auxiliary is well known for bowling days, coach trips, fashion parades, celebration luncheons, raffles throughout the community, craft goods, baking and its ‘famous’ lolly tables at the hospital. Members are also widely supported by the community, who continue to donate to the Auxiliary for the benefit of the hospital and its patients.
