A Heartfelt Mission For Our Hospitals

Mackay Hospital Foundation Giving Day 2023

“We shouldn’t be disadvantaged because of where we live so let’s make our hospitals the best they can be, providing the absolute best possible care for our family and friends.”

Mark your calendars for a heartwarming occasion on Thursday, October 12th, as the Mackay Hospital Foundation gears up for its third annual Giving Day.

This cherished event stands tall as one of the organisation's grandest fundraising endeavours, with the dedicated team at the Mackay Hospital Foundation anticipating another year of resounding success.

Prior to the day, Matched Donors and pre-secured funds are sourced before starting the 12-hour fundraising event from 8am through until 8pm.

Mackay Hospital Foundation General Manager, Kristi Algate said, “We liken it to a telethon and we’re so very fortunate to have a team of enthusiastic volunteers from Gardian Group who start the day by sourcing donations.

“We also have teams throughout the hospitals who contact friends, family and colleagues and encourage them to donate throughout the day, with much of the contributions being returned to the hospital department who raises significant funds. For instance, if ICU (Intensive Care Unit) raises $7,000 then that money is utilised to purchase equipment for their department.”

The Foundation’s Giving Day ambassador this year is Dylan Holmes, who at the age of 42 years, with no previous symptoms, collapsed at work on the afternoon of 6th February this year. Dylan had suffered a cardiac arrest and thanks to having a defibrillator in his workplace and quick acting colleagues and ambos, he was brought to Mackay Base Hospital and thankfully, Dylan is alive today to tell his tale.

From the time of his cardiac arrest until he arrived at hospital, Dylan was shocked nine times. He was also the first person at Mackay Base Hospital to be fitted with a subcutaneous defibrillator, and because he was able to have his procedure in Mackay, his family was by his side.

Dylan’s situation could happen to any one of us, or our friends, colleagues and family.

While some decisions are still pending, current pre-secured Matched Donors this year include Anglo American and Isaac Regional Council with added support from CFMEU, Mackay Base Hospital Auxiliary, Pembroke Olive Downs, Abbot Point Terminal and Sons of the Southern Cross Motorcycle Club.

Funds contributed by Anglo American, Isaac Regional Council, Pembroke Olive Downs and CFMEU will be directed to hospitals in the Isaac Region and funds raised by Abbot Point Terminal will benefit Bowen Hospital.

Mackay Base Hospital Auxiliary’s contribution will complete the upgrade of the Mortuary Garden at Mackay Base Hospital.

Matched Donors contribute a minimum of $10,000 each and when donations are received on the day, these are matched by the money which has been pre-secured by our Matched Donors.

So, how it works is, a $50 donation from John Doe will become $100, thanks to money donated by Matched Donors.

Other donors who have pledged funds prior to the day and will be announcing their commitment on Giving Day are: Mackay West Rotary Club, M & P Services and the Austral Hotel.

Donations can be made online at www.charidy/mhf at any time, and on Giving Day donations can be made at Mt Pleasant Centre between 10am and 1pm, or call into the Mackay Base Hospital Gift Shop.

Star 101.9 will have a presence at Mt Pleasant Centre, while Hit FM will be broadcasting from Gardian Group in Victoria Street.

Ms Algate is asking our community to be generous in their support for our local hospitals on Giving Day, Thursday 12th October.

She added, “We shouldn’t be disadvantaged because of where we live so let’s make our hospitals the best they can be, providing the absolute best possible care for our family and friends.”

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Dylan Holmes with his son Jett

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