NEWS

27 June 2014  

All time record of commuter generosity to benefit children at Princess Margaret Hospital. 

Commuters helped raise more than $110,000 on Radio Lollipop’s Uniform Free Day this year – which is almost $7,000 more than last year’s total, making 2014’s total the biggest since the inaugural Uniform Free Day in 1995. 

Thousands of Transperth bus and train passengers, in the city and around the state, donated spare change to bus drivers and tin-shakers on 19 March. 

With the official count now complete, Public Transport Authority (PTA) Managing Director Mark Burgess thanked passengers for their generosity. 

“We set out to reach six figures and we are so pleased to see that goal has been achieved with a total of $110,956.80 raised,” he said. 

“The PTA has a history of supporting radio lollipop going back almost two decades now. Uniform Free Day has grown from an event supported just by Transperth metropolitan bus drivers into an initiative supported by staff from across the organisation, including train drivers and office staff.” 

“This was the third year that some regional towns such as Kalgoorlie and Bunbury participated in the fundraising – so it’s possible some of those regional donations made all the difference.” 

Many schools and businesses also raised money on the day. 

Radio Lollipop WA‘s Chairperson Tony Williamson said Uniform Free Day was the primary source of revenue for the charity in Western Australia and reaching the $100,000 mark again this year was very exciting. 

“We are immensely proud of this event and its history. Our volunteers receive so much positive feedback from the community every March and it’s always uplifting when people share their stories and we know Radio Lollipop makes a difference.” 

“Funds raised from this year’s event will help kids access our radio and ward visiting program at one of seven hospitals around the State bringing a sense of normality and a very welcome distraction to what is often a traumatic experience for the whole family. 

Radio Lollipop supports and provides the care, comfort, play and entertainment to children throughout their stays at Princess Margaret, Armadale, Fremantle, Joondalup, Murdoch, Rockingham and Kalgoorlie Hospitals.