Humpty Dumpty hero’s $50 million boost to struggling hospitals reaps Pride of Australia Medal nomination

IN 1996, Paul Francis wanted to help raise money for young patients at his local Royal North Shore Hospital — little did he know the impact his dream would have all these years, and an incredible $50 million, later.

IN 1996, Paul Francis wanted to help raise money for young patients at his local Royal North Shore Hospital — little did he know the impact his dream would have all these years, and an incredible $50 million, later.

It started small — he owned a north shore tennis centre and thought they could do a Wimbledon Ball as a fundraiser — but support grew and soon he was finding out exactly what equipment the hospital desperately needed, and asking the community to fund each individual piece.

And so the Humpty Dumpty Foundation was born — the results of which fatefully helped Francis’s own twin daughters, who were born six weeks premature seven years ago.

Paul Francis with baby Sam Harrison. Picture: Virginia Young

The essential medical equipment funded by Humpty and its now famed annual Balmoral Burn event has saved countless lives in more than 230 hospitals across the country — and now, rightfully earned its founder a community spirit nomination in the Pride of Australia Medal, proudly supported by ClubsNSW.

“It was never intended to be what it is today, but thank God it is, and thank God we have so many people who have joined the Humpty family and made this possible,” Mr Francis told The Daily Telegraph.

“We’re raised $50 million since we started — $5 million a year and last year was $5.3m — and it’s growing.

Paul Francis with former Wallaby Phil Kearns who MC-ed a Balmoral Burn sponsors dinner in 2005. Picture: Sara Nixon

“I often get asked if I’m proud of what I’ve achieved — quite simply, I just believe I’ve been given an opportunity.

“I’ve just been a catalyst in creating this family at Humpty that is making such a huge difference to hospitals right across the country.

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“I don’t know if proud is the right word, but I feel so good about what we have done — and I know we are just scratching the surface.”

Mr Francis said in the past three years he has visited more than 30 hospitals where, often, specialists were trying to work with outdated equipment decades old.

NAREMBURN local Campbell Hogg (orange shorts) has run the fund-raiser Balmoral Burn for the past 15 years and never missed an event. He is photographed with the Founder and Chairman of Humpty - Paul Francis.

“I talk to the most wonderful doctors and nurses who quite often, especially in regional areas, feel forgotten, and are working with equipment that is 35 years old,” he said.

“I know our donors are making a difference and we’ve got unbelievable doctors and nurses who unfortunately don’t have the equipment they need, and that’s what we are doing.”

Humpty is the second-biggest provider of children’s medical equipment in NSW, after the state government, and this year’s Balmoral Burn event raised $1.4 million.

To help, visit humpty.com.au.

Nominate someone for the Pride of Australia Medal, partnered by ClubsNSW, at dailytelegraph.com.au/prideofaustralia.