A colourful convoy of motorbikes and trucks winds along the wall in a new mural at the entrance to Wollongong Hospital's children's ward.
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It's part of the second stage of the ward's major redevelopment, and it pays tribute to the fundraising event which made it possible.
The Illawarra Community Foundation donated $1.2 million from last year's Illawarra Convoy to fund stage two - which includes a new purpose-built play room, a medical day unit and refurbishment of several patient rooms.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Co-Director Kids and Families, Dr Susie Piper, said the funding allowed the project to be fast-tracked.
"It should be complete by the end of November," she said.
"We're so grateful to Convoy, and to the community who support it, for enabling us to upgrade the ward for the 3000 to 4000 children we see each year, and their families.
"It's particularly important for those kids who are in and out frequently - those with chronic illness or having chemotherapy. It's great for those kids and their families to have nice facilities in the ward."
Proceeds from Convoy also helped with the first stage of the redevelopment, which included a new family room, office and teaching spaces.
"In this second stage we're turning an under-utilised area into a new play room which has a television, games and activities for kids - as well as a quiet nook for reading or relaxation," she said/
"It's a safe space for kids - where there's no procedures or examinations.
"Around half of the patients' rooms have also been refurbished and two patient rooms have been converted into close observation areas near the nurses' station.
"A new procedure room and clinical skills area has also been created for staff development."
Another feature of this stage is the new medical day unit, which also received a $100,000 boost from the state government.
"This unit will be used for infusions or investigations, such as food challenges for kids with food allergies," Dr Piper said.
Meanwhile the mural - a smaller version which exists inside the ward itself - documents the upgrade journey.
"The original plan was four to five stages, but I feel we've passed the halfway mark now," Dr Piper said.
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