Monthly Archives: September 2013

Purplena Supports Radio Lollipop in a ‘Fairy’ Special Event

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Radio Lollipop Special Guest, Milana Tornatore, also known as Purplena the Face Painting Fairy, recently held a ‘fairy’ special event to launch her new book, ‘My Best Friend is a Fairy’. The gorgeous book is the first in a series of children’s books for young girls. For each book sold in the month of September, Purplena has kindly offered to donate a percentage to Radio Lollipop.

Purplena is a long-time friend of Radio Lollipop and has visited Radio Lollipop Gold Coast a number of times over the past few years. Purplena’s visits to the ward are always very special. Purplena not only brings beautiful face painting for the children to enjoy, but she has an ability to create an atmosphere to connect with each child and make them feel special. Purplena takes the time to talk to every child and sprinkle some ‘get well fairy dust’ to help them feel better.

Not only does she paint the children’s faces in the Radio Lollipop studio but she takes time to fly around the ward to paint the faces of children who are too unwell to get out of bed. This is a very positive experience for those who are often feeling so sick.

At the launch a $150 donation was presented to Radio Lollipop Director, Sandra Ursino OAM and Miriam Swanborough, a Radio Lollipop Volunteer, explained a bit about Radio Lollipop and Purplena’s very special visits to the wards at Gold Coast Hospital. ‘My Best Friend is a Fairy’ was presented to a number of young girls at the launch who Purplena has gotten to know over the years she’s been face painting at Dreamworld. One young girl uses a walking frame and Purplena told the beautiful story of how her Dad used to take her to Dreamworld to visit Purplena. All day he’d tell her, ‘I think Purplena is over here?’ or, ‘Maybe she’s over there?’ to get his daughter to walk the distance around the park to get her exercise for the day. Purplena was nowhere to be found until the end of the day when she got her special visit to Purplena as well as her face painted beautifully with the design of her choice. This was the highlight of her trip to Dreamworld and Purplena is truly making a difference in so many lives and we’re thankful she has chosen to share her talents and give some of her time to the children at Radio Lollipop too.

Congratulations on your new book Purplena and thank you so much for your ongoing support of Radio Lollipop – your love for the kids, your caring nature and your giving heart. We hope you will return to visit the children at Radio Lollipop as special guest soon, to colour up the ward and to sprinkle some more of your ‘get-well fairy dust’.

For more information about Purplena the Face Painting Fairy visit The Face Painting Company Website

To purchase ‘My Best Friend is a Fairy’ visit Amazon.com

Photo: L-R Sandra Ursino, Milana Tornatore and Miriam Swanborough

A PERTH ARENA GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY THE GOLDEN TICKET IS BACK! A PASSION FOR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

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A PERTH ARENA GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
THE GOLDEN TICKET IS BACK!
A PASSION FOR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

The most highly sought-after tickets in town could be yours for a whole year with a Golden Ticket to Perth Arena!

Leading venue manager, AEG Ogden donated two tickets to each event at Perth Arena for a second year running as part of the only Golden Ticket in support of Radio Lollipop.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Terry Waldron launched the 2013 Golden Ticket raffle today at Perth Arena, the proceeds of which help Radio Lollipop relocate to Perth’s New Children’s Hospital.

Mr Waldron encouraged people to enter the draw saying the opportunity to see the quality of acts already announced for only $10 is too good to be missed.

“The lucky winner of the Golden Tickets will get two of the best seats in the house for each event at Perth Arena over 12-months starting this November,” Mr Waldron said.

The Golden Ticket includes some of the biggest names in the music industry, entertainment delights and electrifying sporting events. This ultimate prize includes two tickets to each event for a year starting November 10 on the one year anniversary of Perth Arena.

Events already announced include Fleetwood Mac, Muse, Alicia Keys, Bon Jovi, Bruno Mars, Michael Buble and Bruce Springsteen. The Perth Wildcats and the Hopman Cup will return to their world-class home for their second year.

Mr Waldron said that Perth Arena, owned by VenuesWest, had become a key part of the cultural fabric of Perth and more than 650,000 people had visited the city’s new home of live entertainment, music and sports since it opened last year.

Perth Arena General Manager Michael Scott explained Radio Lollipop and Perth Arena share a passion for music and entertainment.

“There is a strong synergy between our two organisations and we take great pleasure in being able to help keep music alive at the Radio Lollipop studio,” Mr Scott said

“Radio Lollipop has been broadcasting music to seriously ill children in hospital for more than 30 years. It is vitally important that they continue to deliver the voluntary service at our New Children’s Hospital.

“We encourage Western Australians to join AEG Ogden in supporting Radio Lollipop’s great work. Buy a $10 raffle ticket and you could win a double pass to a whole year of the world’s best live entertainment,” he said.

Radio Lollipop WA Chairperson Kristi Clarke said the charity was extremely excited to be donated the only Golden Ticket to Perth Arena.

“Radio Lollipop has a long road ahead over the next two to three years, including construction of a new studio and office, decommissioning of our service at PMH and ongoing training and recruitment of volunteers,” Ms Clarke said.

“Having Perth Arena’s support is invaluable and will ensure we can keep broadcasting live music and providing care, comfort, play and entertainment to children in hospital.”

Tickets in the Golden Ticket raffle cost $10.00 each and will go on sale at 9am this Friday, 20 September. Purchases can be made online at www.goldenticket.net.au or by contacting the Radio Lollipop office on (08) 9340 8835. The Golden Ticket raffle closes at midnight on 31 October 2013.

Media Contact: 

Katie Musham, Perth Arena – 0437 565 747
Kristi Clarke, Radio Lollipop – 0418 911 258

Starship Branch Aim To Raise $20,000!

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Radio Lollipop has brought music to the ears of children in hospitals around the world for more than 30 years.

And volunteers who run the station at Starship children’s hospital say they always leave their shift with a smile on their face.

“It’s an absolute privilege to be with children and their families at a time that is quite rough for them,” Radio Lollipop chairwoman and New Lynn resident Angela Mackie says.

Radio Lollipop was started by Hedley Finn and Dave Glass in the UK in 1979 at St Mary’s Hospital for Children in Surrey.

It has expanded to boast stations in hospitals in the UK, New Zealand, United States and Australia.

A team of trained volunteers visit children in the wards to provide one-on-one play and entertainment.

The station at Starship was established 21 years ago and now has a team of 130 volunteers, aged between 18 and mid-60s.

The children can tune into the radio station, call the studio, make requests and shout-outs.

If they are able, they can visit the studio and participate in activities in Starship’s atrium.

Mrs Mackie has been a volunteer for eight years and loves nothing more than spending an evening on the wards after a hard day at work.

“I love it. This can be the only bit of fun or normality that [the children] get.

“You always leave with a smile on your face.”

Radio Lollipop is holding a quiz night in November as part of its annual fundraising and it hopes to raise $20,000.

Funds raised will go towards refurbishing and modernising the studio, including purchasing a new laptop and equipment to digitalise the station’s catalogue of music.

“We want to make it more interesting for the children,” Mrs Mackie says.

“We just want to make it more modern and the parents love it. It’s good to have some people interaction.”

Mrs Mackie says there are two important factors in deciding to become a Radio Lollipop volunteer.

“You have to love kids and got to have fun.”

BRAIN-TEASERS

What: Radio Lollipop quiz night When: November 30, 7pm

Where: Empire Tavern, 137 Victoria St West, CBD

Tickets: $20. Tables of 10 cost $150. Over-18s only Information: Email fundraise.starship@radiolollipop.org to purchase tickets or for more information.

Radio Lollipop Gourmet Series – Annual Charity Fundraiser

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We are very excited to be taking part in a series of intimate charity lunches/dinners spread throughout the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Tweed to raise much needed funds for Radio Lollipop in OCTOBER and we are hoping that you would consider supporting the cause by getting a group of friends together, coming along, eating well, drinking lots and having a ton of fun with us, all in the name of charity!  

Radio Lollipop has a goal of raising $500k to build radio stations and operate out of 3 major Queensland Hospitals in aid of bringing fun and hope to short and long term hospitalised children.  They are over half way to their goal already and we are hoping that the Gourmet Series can significantly build on their total.

We look forward to having a great day with you all!

To Book or for further information Call Di on 1300 338 486 or email Sandra Ursino on directorqld@radiolollipop.org