What a year 2019 was, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of the Sunshine Coast community.

Wishlist kicked some serious goals this year, including building a home away from home for families with loved ones receiving treatment at Sunshine Coast University Hospital. We are excited to announce The House The Coast Built, with thanks to Ausmar Homes and their dedicated tradies, is expected to open to its first guests in March 2020.

Through 92.7 Mix FM’s Give Me 5 For Kids we were also able to purchase inter-hospital transport equipment for critically ill children, worth $130,000, and continue children’s yoga, music therapy and the popular Clown Doctors program. Another highlight was raising a staggering $214,743 at the Wishlist Spring Carnival for Sepsis research. This sold-out event was attended by more than 800 of the Coast’s biggest hearts and personalities. A further $360,000 was invested into medical research projects to be undertaken right here on the Coast so our local health teams can deliver world-class care.

We have reached so many milestones this year and we are already working to bring more services to Sunshine Coast patients and families than ever before. To do this, we are running a fundraising raffle with your chance to WIN a luxury trip-for-two to Nusa Lembongan or an adventure-packed stay in Queenstown, thanks to Wild Spirit Adventures.

We’ll also be lacing up our joggers on March 22 for the annual Wishlist Fun Run at Lake Kawana. Make sure you register here to be in the draw to win an early bird prize. It's a great morning out for the whole family!

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers, Wishlist donors and business supporters for a fantastic year and to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Make sure you hope over to our website wishlist.org.au fo our latest Daisy Chain newsletter and upcoming events.

I'll also leave you with this festive photo our furry friend, Norman the Delta Therapy Dog (above), who likes to moonlight as Rudolph at this time year. (He does have a smile under there, we promise!) Norman has been busy visiting sick patients in the Children's Ward and he even lends a floppy ear to long-stay patients in the Intensive Care Unit.