Monthly Archives: March 2015

Give me Five! for Radio Lollipop Melbourne

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PLC Cheque ceremonyOn Friday 6 March 2015, the Prep to Year 6 students at Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Melbourne Australia took part in Radio Lollipop day – a musical, colourful, fun-filled occasion to raise money for Radio Lollipop at Monash Children’s Hospital.

The students collected all their spare 5 cent coins and used them on Wednesday and Thursday to “Give me Five!” and vote for their favourite songs.

On Friday morning, Radio Lollipop Australia Board Director, Lisa Leong, was introduced at Assembly by her daughter Billie who is in Grade 1 at PLC, and then interviewed by Social Service Captains Sami Sharp and Georgiana Karakitsos about Radio Lollipop.

The Social Work Captains said: “We decided to support Radio Lollipop because we could empathise with the children in hospital and wanted to bring a smile to their faces”. Then, at lunchtime, the top ten songs with the most votes were played. Receiving the most votes – and beating Katy Perry and even Frozen’s Let it Go, was Geronimo by Sheppard! Everyone danced and sang along enthusiastically.

Radio Lollipop Melbourne was touched by the generosity of all the students and staff at PLC. Upon receiving a cheque for $800 from the school, Lisa thanked Sami and Georgiana, Social Service Co-ordinator, Hannah Bangah, and Head of the Junior School, Cheryl Penberthy, (who suggested the fabulous “Give me Five” concept!), and said: “as we heard in Assembly, “Give me Five” demonstrates that there is no contribution too small to make a difference”.

Photo 1: (L – R) Radio Lollipop Director Lisa Leong and her daughter Billie at Assembly.
Photo 2: Cheque Presentation at PLC. Hannah Bangah (Social Service Co-ordinator), Sami Sharp and Georgiana Karakitsos (Year 6 Social Service Captains), Bruce Uhlhorn (RL International Chairman), Lisa Leong (RL Australia Board Director), Billie Yuille (Daughter of Lisa!)

Sergeant Surprises Sick Kids

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Kids at the Gold Coast University Hospital were treated with an uplifting distraction when Police Officer, Sergeant Chris Lynch came to visit. Sergeant Lynch spent time with each child and was able to answer questions and share interesting and fun facts about the job of a policeman.

“Apart from helping to make the kids’ stay more enjoyable, I want to show them that the police are there to help and that we’re friendly,” said Sergeant Lynch.

Throughout his visit children could wear a policeman’s hat, fingerprint and have a mock mug shot taken. They especially enjoyed fingerprinting and the fact that no one had one like theirs because each and every one is unique.

The children were entertained for hours and the fun continued with Sergeant Lynch giving each child a police themed colouring-in activity sheet.

Three-year-old twins, Ryder and Jesse (pictured), were excited to meet Sergeant Lynch and wear a real policeman’s hat for their mug shot.

The surprise visit was organised by Radio Lollipop Gold Coast who aim to make a child’s stay in hospital less frightening and more fun.

“Radio Lollipop has really DSC_0091_croppedsaved the day – it’s always the best time of the day,” said Jaye, Ryder and Jesse’s mum. Sergeant Lynch accompanied Radio Lollipop volunteers Cristle, Bert, Liz and Jaime (pictured) on one of their regular Paediatrics ward visits.

In 2015, Radio Lollipop Gold Coast is expanding to include visits to Children’s Emergency and the Children’s Critical Care Unit (ICU) to see their service reach more sick children than ever before.

 

TEN Gives to Radio Lollipop

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Radio Lollipop Australia Director Jeanette Shorto and UN Ltd General Manager Carol Morris at the launch of TEN Gives in Perth.

ANOTHER significant partnership in Western Australia was born this month as Network Ten, together with UN Ltd launched the latest chapter of the TEN Gives program.

TEN Gives is a workplace giving program  for the national TV broadcaster that aims to help eliminate the consequences of youth disadvantage in Australia.  Network Ten has partnered with UN Ltd – the not-for-profit foundation representing the media, marketing and advertising industry – to support the work Radio Lollipop volunteers do in Western Australia in bringing play, music, laughter and entertainment to sick children in hospitals across the State.

Radio Lollipop (WA) has already been awarded a $10,000 grant and in-kind sponsorship from Network Ten and UN Ltd to help the charity with advertising and media relations, guest appearances at the radio studio and a host of minor projects to support Radio Lollipop’s growth in WA.

The Network Ten and UN Ltd partnership includes workplace giving of money, time, skills and expertise. Staff have ‘hit the ground running’ by supporting Radio Lollipop’s Uniform Free Day this year with live news crosses and joining volunteers on the day to shake a tin at train stations across the city. In addition, Network Ten staff will be able to donate to Radio Lollipop via a workplace giving mobile application and Network Ten will match the cash raised by staff.

Radio Lollipop Australia Director, Jeanette Shorto, was at the Network Ten studios in Perth last month as the TEN Gives program was launched to staff.

“It is amazes me how significant opportunities like this grow from initial ideas. We are overwhlemed to be chosen as the benefactors of the TEN Gives program in Perth and are very proud to be among the extensive alumni of charities supported by UN Ltd, all of who do amazing work to undo youth disadvantage in Australia.”

“We are so very excited to be working with both Network Ten and UN Ltd and look forward to the many exciting opportunities ahead.”

UN Ltd General Manager Carol Morris and Network Ten HR Business Partner, Brendan McKeon were also in Perth for the launch.

Stay tuned for more details about this exciting partnership and the many benefits it will deliver for Radio Lollipop – not only for the children that we visit but also for our volunteers.

Golf in the Dark – Great Fundraising!

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Radio Lollipop Edinburgh organised a Golf in the Dark competition with Turnhouse Golf Club on Saturday 14th March. The event was great fun and raised £273.30 for the charity. The winning team was the Turnhouse Insomniacs, pictured here with event organiser Elaine Craig. Many thanks go to all involved, particularly Turnhouse Golf Club.