Thirty six Supertees will be delivered to the region’s sickest kids, through the Townsville Hospital Foundation’s Bright Eyes

Townsville’s sickest children are transforming into caped crusaders with the help of a groundbreaking superhero medical garment.

TOWNSVILLE’S sickest children are transforming into caped crusaders with the help of a groundbreaking superhero medical garment.

For the very first time, 36 Supertees will be delivered to the region’s sickest kids, through the Townsville Hospital Foundation’s Bright Eyes.

Supertees are a medical garment that bypasses medical lines and tubes making it easier to change tops, with the underarms opening easily for temperature checks.

Additionally, the garment helps to build courage.

“They’re going through a rough time, the idea of the superhero outfit has a lot of benefits,” Thuringowa Rotarian Steve Greenwell says.

“But they’re designed in a manner that helps the doctor and nurses as well – all of these things stack up and we thought it would really help Townsville kids.

“We don’t want them missing out!”

Supertees founder Jason Sotiris and with children.

The Rotary Club of Thuringowa was able to raise enough money for 36 garments at local stalls, despite Covid lockdowns – and will make Supertee a part of their annual fundraising efforts.

“It’s a starting point, we’re hoping to make this an ongoing support,” Thuringowa Rotarian Steve Greenwell says.

“It’s not about the price, it’s’ about the job they do.

A father of two himself, Mr Greenwell says many of the club’s members also have grandchildren and see how important it is for Townsville kids to feel like they’re special.

Supertee founder Jason Sotiris, is a tradie who created the Supertee when his young daughter, Angela, was in hospital for months battling cancer.

“I felt helpless as I couldn’t do a simple task of putting her in clean clothes as it was too challenging with the iv drip, chest monitor cables and central lines,” Mr Sotiris said.

“And that’s when I decided there must be an easier way.”

Brighter Lives CEO Tanya Busoli said that this was a wonderful initiative to brighten the lives of children in hospital.

“Children going through treatment are absolutely superheroes and it’s great that they’ll have their very own Super Tee,” Ms Busoli said.

Supertees unclip from the sides and over the shoulders making it easy to change a child when confined to a hospital bed.

Being a superhero costume, it aims to invite children into the world of imaginative play where they are the hero of their own story.

More than 10,000 Supertees have made their way into hospitals across the country, but its founder, tradie Jason Sotiris wants to donate another 5,000 gift packs by the end of the year.

People can make a tax-deductible donation via Supertee online for just $45 per gift pack, which is then passed on to a sick child on their behalf.

Thankfully, Angela is now in remission, and Jason is continuing to help sick children and their families.

For more information go to: https://bit.ly/3e7dma2

Originally published as Thirty six Supertees will be delivered to the region’s sickest kids, through the Townsville Hospital Foundation’s Bright Eyes