Congratulations to Radio Lollipop Gold Coast Chairperson Liz Proctor who was recently awarded a “Highly Commended” in the Local Hero section of the Annual Department of Justice Divisional Excellence Awards announced recently on the Gold Coast.
Liz said she believes her nomination was because of how ridiculously often she talks about Radio Lollipop at work and how many times she organise fundraisers! I was very embarrassed but very humbled to be nominated for such a prestigious award.
The Australian Board of Directors would like to congratulations Liz on this award. We are very proud of the strong leadership you have shown over the past few years to lead our service on the Gold Coast.
A humble team at Coomera Playschool Early Learning Centre have put their heads together to organise a bold, bright and colourful fundraiser for Radio Lollipop.
After her son’s admission into the old Southport hospital a few years ago, Mum and childcare worker Taryn Bennett decided to return the favour.
Each room in the childcare centre chose a charity and promoted their cause with an event of their choosing, raising much-needed funds and awareness for the organisation. For Taryn, choosing Radio Lollipop was a no-brainer.
“I remember Radio Lollipop being a good distraction for both [my son] and our older daughter,” reminisced Mrs Bennett.
“We thought it would be a good idea to do a fundraiser for them.”
The staff opted for a Crazy Hair Day – a colourful array of coloured hairspray, curly pipe cleaners, creative add-ons like edible lollipops and string spray adorned every head that day.
“We decided on a crazy hair day so the children could get involved,” says Taryn.
All those who attended brought in either a gold coin donation or craft supplies, which included colouring-in books, paints, activity books, stickers, beads, finger puppets, Christmas crafts and assorted pencils and pens. With the total of amount raised, Taryn and the staff members will purchase more supplies to add to the generous pile of creative goodies.
Crafts are invaluable and essential items for Radio Lollipop volunteers. It allows a hands-on and engaging interaction with the sick children in hospital who might otherwise be stuck in bed all day.
A very big thank you to Taryn and the staff at Playschool Early Learning Centre in Coomera for organising this special event!
Congratulations from the Radio Lollipop Bristol Team to all of our friends at The University of the West of England (UWE) in the Space Exploration Society and Medical Science Society for their nomination in the Student Union National Societies Awards for the Best Community Project for the Space Rocket Project!
The project involved a series of workshops on Wednesday evenings during Radio Lollipop sessions which were run by our volunteers and UWE students for the children at The Bristol Royal Hospital for Children to build and decorate Radio Lollipop Space Rockets to be launched into space!
The workshops were very successful and lots of glittery fun!
The first rocket launch took place in April and there is footage of the launch on the Radio Lollipop Facebook Page.
The second launch sadly had to be postponed due to bad weather. Further arrangements are to be confirmed.
Good luck to the UWE team with their award nomination!
