Despite Easter, Anzac Day and what feels like weeks of rain
we’ve managed a month like no other at Wishlist.

It began with the announcement of a whopping $12million in
federal funding to Wishlist for emergency accommodation to support patients and
their families relying on the services of the Sunshine Coast University
Hospital and beyond. 

This project is not simply about providing accommodation.  This five-to eight-storey building will be an innovative collaboration between not-for-profit organisations to support the work of the Coast’s local hospital foundation, Wishlist. The facility will offer the following benefits to the Sunshine Coast community:

• Provide Wishlist with an additional funding source to sustain the floor of patient/family accommodation and continue to enhance local health services with in-hospital services like Clown Doctors and music, pet and yoga therapy, equipment, staff education and importantly, local research funding

• Provide an escape from the clinical environment of a hospital but within 5 minutes walk to a patient’s appointment, or a loved one in hospital

• Provide a comfortable and affordable accommodation option for patients and families, close to both hospitals

• Provide a one-stop-shop for services that supplement medical care, and offer specialised support to those needing additional physical, psychological, emotional or spiritual

Support

Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace MP, worked hard to secure this funding for Wishlist and for the Coast community, and we simply can’t thank him enough.  This grant funding paves the way for a brighter future for Wishlist, local health services, and the countless families who will benefit from the services offered by this facility. 

Thanks also to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt MP for his vision … and $12million!

I'd also like to extend a very warm welcome to Maroochydore andBuderim BOQ to the Wishlist Partnerships Program. BOQ join a special group of local businesses that support the important work we do. We're so happy to have them on our team!

The House the Coast Built

The slab is down, spirits are up but the rain has halted the build this month on The House the Coast Built.  We’re gearing up again with the many contractors of Ausmar Homes to get the six-bedroom, six-bathroom home finished as soon as possible, and ready for families that need to be close to SCUH.

Reed House

Our accommodation facility at Nambour celebrated ten years this month.   Our team of amazing volunteers keep the doors open for weary guests 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  We’re so proud of the work they do and so grateful for their efforts.

Fun Run

Our second annual Wishlist Fun Run raised almost $30,000 and got 450 of our closest friends up early on a Sunday morning!  Thanks to all who took part and to Stockland, QSuper and the Wishlist team for making it happen.

What we've purchased

• $32,000 for a 3D Radiation Therapy Printer – thanks to a grant from the Queensland Community Gambling Benefits Fund.

• $5,000 for resources for the hearing impaired at our hospitals – thanks to the Honda Foundation.
• $600 for MP3 plays and music resources for the Mental Health Intensive Care Unit
• $7229 for Paediatric Critical Care Early Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Equipment

What’s on the horizon

Australian Doctors
Orchestra

I’ll be there on Sunday 12^st May so come and join me, along with some of our beautiful volunteers, for a special Mothers Day afternoon.

Mix FM’s Give Me 5 for Kids

Mix FM’s Give Me 5 for Kids is on again in June. Check out the full calendar of events here which includes the inaugural Ride for Kids at Aura Central thanks to Stockland.

Last year’s record tally of $606,000 was largely possible thanks to a number of $25,000 donors, some of whom attended the recent Red Hot Summer Tour and met John Farnham, thanks to our media partner and major donor 92.7Mix FM.

Finally, at months end we called for photos depicting kindness and compassion, knowing full well that we’d have an abundance of those given the team that we know and love here at the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service. 

The winner of our staff competition (and $150 gift card) is Karen Croker from Maleny Hospital who sent in this heart warming photo of a patient being visited by a member of Maleny Light Horse Troop. We will enter this image in the Queensland Community Foundation’s photo competition for a chance to win another $500 for Karen and $2,000 for Wishlist.  Thanks to everyone who contributed beautiful photos.

Thank you

There are always so many people to thank in our amazing community. This month, I'd like to acknowledge the support of Sunshine Toyota and their commitment to the Hospital's Extended Midwifery Service.

Thanks to the generosity of Sunshine Toyota, the service now has a new car in the fleet, allowing Sunshine Coast University Hospital's midwives to visit even more of the Coast's newest bubs in their homes.

Wishlist Connect

Our platform has grown into an app and we launch on May 28!  The launch will see a range of new advertisers and offers and our aim is to have every Health team member signed-up and redeeming offers … saving you money and raising funds for our work through the advertiser dollars.  Check it out here but remember, it’s bigger and better from the end of May!

Lisa - Wishlist CEO