A major redevelopment of Wollongong Hospital’s children’s ward will kick off in the new year thanks to a million-dollar gift just in time for Christmas.
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The Illawarra Community Foundation – the charity which distributes Convoy funds – made the financial commitment at the kids’ ward on Monday afternoon.
It will fund stage one of the planned redevelopment – the largest part of the project which will see the ward expanded and a family room constructed to enable parents to take a break.
That will be a blessing for local parents like Arun John and Anu Sebastian, who have spent countless hours at the ward with their daughter Els Rose.
The seven-year-old Dapto girl underwent a kidney transplant in March, but unfortunately it’s not the end of her health battle.
“Els started having symptoms, such as swelling and puffiness, when she was two and was diagnosed with renal failure,” Mr John said.
“She had to undergo dialysis for a long time while she was on the waiting list for an organ transplant so we have spent a lot of time in both Wollongong and Sydney children’s wards.
“The transplant went well initially but it has rejected so she’ll probably need another transplant in the future.
“But she’s a happy girl, a brave girl, and everyone at the hospital knows her now, and are very supportive. Convoy funds help a lot of children with chronic conditions and with this donation to the hospital, they’ll be helping even more families.”
Albion Park couple Adam and Mel Henley have been supported by Convoy, and also welcomed the new funding for the hospital.
Their daughter Kayla, 9, was diagnosed with leukaemia in September, and will need to undergo chemotherapy over a two-year period.
“It hits you hard when your child is diagnosed, but she’s strong and we’ll get through it,” Mr Henley said. “We’re lucky to have a children’s ward and hospital school here and this funding for improvements is fantastic.”
Dr Susie Piper, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Co-Director Kids and Families, said the $1 million donation would enable the hospital to make the “significant first step” in the long-planned project.
“This means that we can go ahead with the start of a big planned project to make this the best children’s ward in the state,” she said.
“It’s a five-year project, and we hope to complete a stage each year. Stage one will cost around $2.1 million, so this donation covers around half the cost of that.
“We are very grateful to the Illawarra Community Foundation, and the community, for this generous contribution to get it started.”
Dr Piper said the NSW Government had pitched in $250,000 for the stage one works in October, while other funds had been raised during Run Wollongong.
“This funding will enable works to start early next year, with the project to be completed by the end of 2019.”
The Illawarra Community Foundation also made a $250,000 donation to the ward last year, enabling the hospital school to be relocated and a new entrance and reception area constructed.
The record-breaking $2 million raised for the 2018 i98FM Illawarra Convoy last month has enabled the foundation to make this further commitment.
“With 3500 children now admitted to the ward each year this redevelopment – which will increase the space overall – is vital,” Convoy manager Mark Rigby said.
Convoy founder, i98FM host Marty Haynes, thanked the community, and local businesses, for their ongoing support: “Convoy has always been about keeping the money within the region – about helping our own.”