Crazy hair day for Radio Lollipop 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!

 

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Radio Lollipop Gold Coast is Broadwater Rotary’s beneficiary

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Radio Lollipop Gold Coast is once again one of the beneficiaries of Broadwater Rotary Club’s Bare Your Soles for Kids lawn bowls fundraiser. The rotary club is one of the original supporters of Radio Lollipop who assisted with the launch and growth of our Gold Coast team 10 years ago.

Over its 12 year history, the Bare Your Soles For Kids has raised more than $300,000 for local charities and supported over 100 individuals in need on the Gold Coast.

Rotary Club of Broadwater Southport President Dennis O’Brien said funds from the day will support Southport Special School, Radio Lollipop, Southport Surf Lifesaving Club Nippers and other local Rotary charity projects.

“Bare Your Soles For Kids has become another wonderful annual Gold Coast community event and has established a fine tradition of raising funds for programs that benefit our youth,” said O’Brien.

“Lawn bowls is a fun, healthy and social activity, and a great way to get out and enjoy our Gold Coast weather.

“We now invite the public to get in quick to secure one of 42 team entries into this year’s event.”

Registration is $35 per person with the competition in teams of four. People can enter a team or enter individually and be placed into a team.

Musgrave Hill Bowls Club will host Bare Your Soles For Kids from 10am to 2.30pm on Sunday 15 May. The program will feature a social lawn bowls team’s competition, silent and open auctions and $5 raffle draws.

“We acknowledge the tremendous support from local businesses in donating more than 20 prizes for our raffles during the day, as well as a number of major items to auction off including the Bernard Tomic signed tennis racquet,” said O’Brien.

To register for Bare Your Soles For Kids contact Col Myers on cmyers@smh.net.au or Denise Dunn on denise.dunn13@gmail.com.

 

Gold Coast Radio Lollipop are visited by former NRL star Scott Prince

The Terrific Tuesday Gold Coast team were recently paid a special visit by former NRL football player Scott Prince and Coomera State High School Deputy Principle Dave Hartley.

The duo have teamed up to produce a book series specially aimed at children who are reluctant to read, engaging them with the topic of football.

Titled Deadly D and Justice Jones, the series features Deadly D, a boy by day and a football legend by weekend, and Justice Jones, his friend and sidekick who brings a cheekiness to the boys’ daily antics.

Scott and Dave accompanied our Gold Coast volunteers around the wards, handing out their books, signed posters and t-shirts. The pair were a welcomed distraction from hospital life as they spent time with each child, sharing stories about football, school and jokes. They even went as far as having a dance-off to in-house favourite, “Watch Me Whip” by Silento.

A special thanks to Dave Hartley and Scott Prince for their generosity in donating their books, posters, t-shirts, and most importantly, their personal time, to help Radio Lollipop create more magical evenings for sick children in hospital.

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Radio Lollipop Gold Coast benefits from Ramsden Lawyer Race Day

Radio Lollipop Gold Coast were again the lucky beneficiary of the Ramsden Lawyer’s massive charity race day, held earlier this year at the Gold Coast Turf Club.

It was certainly an exciting sight for all who attended, with big hitters bidding against each other to win prized items while also raising much-needed funds for the local charity.

The Gold Coast law firm successfully raised $8,436 through donations and auctioning prize items to key players who attended the event.

Lollipop volunteers were also keen to help, assisting in selling raffle tickets and rallying support for their charity.

Thanks to the generosity of all involved, Radio Lollipop volunteers have more to give on the wards, especially for the sick children who miss out on a Christmas at home.

Special thanks goes to Stephanie Murray and Ben Twomey for their dedication in organising the charity race day and continuing to consider Radio Lollipop!