Lismore Base Hospital Auxiliary bringing Christmas cheer, homemade items to raise funds for essential blood transfusion equipment
A North Coast community institution continues to forge on for the betterment of its constituents to eye yet another prized addition to the local area health district’s arsenal. See what they’re up to.
Lismore
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Members of the Lismore Base Hospital Auxiliary have been merrily plugging away to create a cheerful selection of practical and delicious condiments for their annual Christmas drive.
The longstanding volunteer-run group continues to thrive with the aid of the community in purchasing essential medical equipment for the region’s local hospitals.
“We’ve raised $90,000 so far this financial year,” long-serving member Pauline Cross said.
“We run the pop-up shop as often as we can depending on the number of available volunteers and it’s run usually at least three to five days a week.
Stacked with beautifully crafted handmade items such as the all-cotton book Bedtime Bunny, which small children can hold and is washable – to gourmet pickles and sauces and bowl-cozies that are microwavable.
“The most popular item we sell is the double sided hand towel,” Ms Strong said.
With a huge variety of patterns and colours there are also washable hand puppets.
“They’re a washer, and the kids can put their hands up in them and wash themselves with a puppet,” Ms Glencross said.
Christmas themed aprons are a hit as well as quilts and a large assortment of pickles, jams, chutneys, relish’s and sauces.
“Last financial year we donated $70,000 worth of equipment.
“So far this year we’ve donated $54,000 for five Hi Lo beds and we are just about to buy a $42,491 cell saver transfusion system to assist with haemorrhaging during surgery... so that’ll be close to $90 to 95,000 in this financial year alone, and we still have six months to go.”
Ms Strong said the Auxiliary’s Christmas Craft Market held at the Lismore Showground was “huge” and “absolutely fantastic”.
“As a result of the work of our volunteers and the support of our generous community, $15,559 was raised and will be put towards the purchase of the cell saver transfusion system.”
Ms Strong said everything was handmade, home grown, and home baked.
“$3092 of the above total was raised by our popular Christmas raffle. Our first prize winner, Bonnie from Kyogle, and our second prize winner from Ballina were both delighted with their wins.”
The Lismore Base Auxiliary holds their Christmas stall in the foyer of the Lismore Base Hospital this week from 9am to 2pm.
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