RADIO HAVEN
Radio Lollipop is a haven of normality for sick kids such as Max Walter, 3, and it is calling on schools and businesses around the Gold Coast to dress up and help out.
CHARITY Radio Lollipop is calling schools and businesses to dress up ON Friday, March 8, to help brighten the lives of children in hospital.
Through the healing power of play, Radio Lollipop give patients such as Max Walter a haven of normality in the hospital day.
But, to continue its quest it needs help celebrating its annual Uniform Free Day.
The Radio Lollipop volunteers at the Gold Coast University Hospital are Max’s second family.
Born with Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES), a rare gastrointestinal allergy, he spends several weeks in hospital each month. The condition results in severe reactions to food causing the three-year-old to vomit until he becomes unresponsive.
Alex Walter, Max’s mother, said the dedicated volunteers who played games, created craft, dance, and sang had changed their family’s life in a hospital setting.
“For us Radio Lollipop is an escape,” Ms Walter said.
“We are exhausted and emotionally shattered, but the volunteers give our family a break from hospital life.
“Max lives for it and it gets him through the day.”
The hospital radio stations allow patients to request their favourite song, win prizes, and hear their own voices on air.
In 1990, the Mater Children’s Hospital reported saving more than $400,000 in the cost of unadministered drugs after the first year of Radio Lollipop.
Gold Coast University Hospital assistant-in-nursing Leearney Hogan said the organisation distracted children from the trauma of treatment and made life enjoyable in hospital.
“Radio Lollipop is important and makes a difference for the children and their families,” she said.
On March 8, Radio Lollipop South East Queensland is celebrating its Uniform Free Day – a chance for the community to dress up in their favourite costume for the cost of a gold coin donation.
Gold Coast Radio Lollipop fundraising co-ordinator Tani Stubbs said businesses and schools could register to hold a Uniform Free Day with 99c from every dollar going straight to children in hospital.
“The Uniform Free Day is one of our big fundraising days that we do all across Australia and the world,” Ms Stubbs said.
“On this day we are encouraging the community to be creative in their choice of clothes. You can be uniform free, wear something red, dress up as a superhero, or have a pyjama party. The options are endless.
“One in four children are admitted to hospital before the age of 14, so it is important for the community to know who we are and what we do.”
Volunteers are often former patients who want to give back to the charity that provided
them with entertainment and comfort when they needed it most.
Radio Lollipop Gold Coast volunteer Erin Condrin said it was important for children who spent time in hospital to come away with memories, other
than needles and doctors.
“Hospital can be a really scary time, but Radio Lollipop allows children to feel comfortable and happy, despite their situation.
“The smiles on their faces as they walk past our studio is proof that we have a great impact on children’s lives.”
Founded in the UK in 1979, Radio Lollipop has directly helped nearly 5 million sick children in hospitals and reached more than 13 million people worldwide.
Merrimac State Primary School principal Chris Tobin said the school had previously raised money for the charity and encouraged other schools on the Gold Coast to support initiatives like the Radio Lollipop Uniform Free Day.
For more information or to register, email fundraisinggc@radiolollipop.org