Children in Ninewell’s Hospital in Dundee over the festive season received plenty of Christmas cheer thanks to some generous donations. Dobbie’s donated a Christmas tree which lit up the playground outside the ward. The hospital donated £100 to be spent on gifts for the children, and Sue Jameson and her family kindly donated several brand new toys to be added to the pile. The presents were given out by one of Santa’s elves on the 15th December and again on 22nd December, while seasonal songs were broadcast from Edinburgh’s Sick Children’s Hospital. The wards were busy, especially on the 15th, but everyone got a present and some huge smiles were to be seen.

Saturday 19th November was a magical night in Wonderland as Radio Lollipop in Perth celebrated 20 years of entertaining children in Australian hospitals at their annual Gala.

Gala guests experienced the adventures of Alice when they presented their ticket to the Queen of Heart’s Card guards and followed the White Rabbit to Burswood International Resort’s Grand Ball Room.

Radio Lollipop Chairman, Max Veenhuyzen said;

“The Gala Ball is our organisation’s biggest social event and our aim was to get guests to experience the same kind of fun and joy that Radio Lollipop volunteers bring into the lives of sick children in hospitals across the state”.

Hosted by the Mad Hatter, Channel 7’s Steve Nelkovski, the evening included a three course meal, fine wine, entertainment and the charity’s annual auction and raffle.

The Wonderland Gala raised approximately $22,000 to help Radio Lollipop volunteers to put more smiles on the faces of children at Princess Margaret, Fremantle, Armadale, Murdoch and Joondalup hospitals.

The funds will go towards more craft, books, music and prizes and the continued maintenance and development of the radio program and other initiatives.

A big thank you goes to Radio Lollipop’s Western Australian charity coordinator, Melissa Dawes for organising such an amazing event.

The children from Ward 6 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary celebrated Christmas in style this year with the volunteers from Radio Lollipop.

DJ Chris charmed the kids and made it an afternoon to remember for all concerned as the volunteers and families joined in with dancing and party games. A very special visitor also came to town…can you guess who?

Everyone absolutely loved the party and even the parents (however reluctant) were eventually persuaded to hit the dance floor.

In true Lollipop style, there were lots of prizes and presents and the kids were the centre of attention. We look forward to joining ward 6 for their party again next year.

Radio Lollipop Edinburgh will be on the air all day
Boxing Day and 2 January 2006.
On Boxing Day, Edinburgh and Dundee will enjoy live holiday shows from 8am until 6pm.
On 2 January, listeners will be able to enjoy live programming from 10am until 6pm.
Volunteers are invited to come in anytime during the holidays as it promises to be a fun and festive time.