Radio Lollipop Gold Coast scared it might not survive COVID-19
A Gold Coast hospital radio station has been off the air for months because of the coronavirus shutdown and bosses are scared it might not survive COVID-19.
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A GOLD Coast hospital radio station has been off the air for months because of the coronavirus shutdown and bosses are scared it might not survive COVID-19.
Radio Lollipop has been in strife since physical distancing laws closed volunteering services at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) and Bunnings sausage sizzle fundraisers came to a halt.
Radio Lollipop east coast support officer Tani Bloudell said her team was fundraising online to ensure patients had face-to-face bedside play, diversional activities and can join the radio program post COVID-19.
“We are locked out of the GCUH due to the virus and public donations are shrinking,” she said.
“We love brightening the lives of kids in hospital. We want to keep doing it but we need a lot of help.”
Max Walter, 4, has Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) and has been in hospital a lot during the pandemic.
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Max’s mum Alex Water said GCUH was now “a very sterile and emotional place”.
“We can’t leave our room or have visitors,” she said.
“Without Radio Lollipop in the kids ward it’s really hard for children and parents to cope.
“We need to make sure the station comes back.”
GCUH director of paediatrics Dr Sue Moloney said: “Thinking about things other than the reasons for being in hospital are very important in the recovery process. We have really noticed Radio Lollipop missing during COVID-19.”
The charity, dedicated to making kids smile, is in 33 hospitals around the world.
The Coast branch needs more than $25,000 to keep the station alive. You can donate online at https://tinyurl.com/y8jxkw5c
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