For thirty-five years the annual Local Government Charity Golf Day has been raising money for charity and this year they exceeded their target by $2,000 and raised a whopping $11,000. The money has been donated to Our Kids, enabling the charity to purchase three pieces of life-saving equipment for the emergency and paediatric departments at Lismore Base Hospital.
The golf day was attended by more than 145 golfers and this year’s target was to raise $9000 to purchase an ‘AccuVein AV400’ that digitally displays a map of the vasculature on the surface of the skin in real time, making administering needles to children more efficient and reduces discomfort.
‘This piece of equipment will help the medical team diagnose and treat our children and babies much better,’ Our Kids fundraising coordinator Rebekka Battista said.
‘This is will have such a big impact to our families in the region.’
Rebekka explained that the extra $2000 would go toward purchasing other important items for mums and bubs in the Special Care Nursery at Lismore Base Hospital.
‘Two feeding armchairs are much needed in the new Special Care Nursery feeding room,’ Rebekka said.
‘This is where mums take the bub out of the humidicrib or cot and spend time with their little ones in privacy to give skin-to- skin treatment and breastfeed. At present there is no such chair, only an office chair, which has been uncomfortable for our mums who have just given birth.’
Anthony Magarry from Lismore City Council, a member of the organising committee, said the support from local businesses was unwavering and the golf day total continued to grow each year.
‘It’s become a wonderful tradition, and it’s fantastic to have some fun doing what we love while raising money for charities that directly impact and improve the lives of local people,’ Anthony said.
‘As Council workers and business people we are all passionate about the communities we live in. We are so proud this event keeps on growing and that it’s helping local people right here in Lismore.’