Egg hunt to help hospital boost children’s services

Andrew Mathieson
Organisers of an Easter egg hunt hope to raise at least $14,000 for a humdicrib to transport sick babies around Geelong Hospital.
A “happy gas” machine and plaster saw for the emergency ward is also on the shopping list for the annual event.
Geelong fundraising group Our Women, Our Children will host the charity event on Easter Sunday at Bellarine Estate Winery.
Group secretary Donna Bates said the Easter egg hunt had raised more than $100,000 for the hospital in the event’s three years of entertaining families at the winery.
Ms Bates said the cash was essential for children’s services at the hospital.
The hospital was now treating more Geelong children rather than transporting them to Melbourne services, she said.
“Without the fundraiser the hospital would have to go without or take the money from another service,” Ms Bates said.
“We’re able to provide some money for the equipment, while government funding only goes so far and the hospital can’t always get it.”
Ms Bates said the egg hunt would continue to help provide vital services for the hospital.
“The hospital has opened a new emergency department and wants new equipment but it couldn’t afford to buy it before this,” she said.
Tickets for the Easter egg hunt cost $30 pre-booked or $40 at the gate for each car load of participants.
Ms Bates asked anyone seeking tickets to phone Our Women, Our Children president Monique Richardson on 0418 518 883 before 6.30pm.