With State of Origin about to kick off tonight Dubbo Coles Supermarket are not only throwing their support behind the NSW Blues, but are hoping to beat their Queensland counterparts and raise the most money for children’s hospitals in each state.
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Across both states, 414 Coles supermarkets are selling raffle tickets for the annual Cheer for the Kids campaign, which supports Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane.
To raise awareness and encourage shoppers to support this cause ahead of the State of Origin tonight, Dubbo Coles Charter Hall staff were waving their sky blue flags.
Dubbo Coles fresh produce manager Brittany Hill said while she was born in Queensland and will be going for the Maroons tonight, the rest of the staff were proud New South Welshmen and women.
To support Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation and contribute to Coles NSW’s tally, shoppers can purchase a raffle ticket at the Dubbo Coles supermarket in store until Tuesday, June 27.
Each raffle ticket purchased will be entered into the draw to win a Blues supporter Holden Astra thanks to Cheer for the Kids partners Holden and Coca-Cola Amatil.
All proceeds from the sale of raffle tickets will go towards the Kids Cancer Centre at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.
Coles State Operations Manager Emma Bridges said Coles is delighted to support Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick again to ensure it can continue the fantastic work it does in supporting children in need.
“This cause is close to the hearts of our customers and team members – many of whom have children of their own – so we are very proud to raise money for Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation to support sick kids and their families,” she said.
“Last year NSW made a tremendous effort to support sick kids, donating more than $400,000 in the four week period. This year our NSW team is going bigger and bluer to raise even more money for the Hospital.”
This year’s Cheer for the Kids appeal marks a 17- year partnership with the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick and 17 years of generous donations from NSW shoppers.
Since the partnership started in 2000, local shoppers have raised almost $3.2 million, contributing to the funding of the Fellowship programs to support a doctor to enter further specialised training in a particular field of paediatric medicine.
Kids Cancer Centre Director, associate Professor Tracey O’Brien was the first Fellow to be funded by the Cheer for the Kids campaign.
“Fifteen years ago funding from the Cheer for the Kids campaign supported my Fellowship in umbilical cord blood transplants, helping to provide a real difference to children in Australia,” she said.
“Cheer for the Kids has directly impacted the lives of many children living with cancer by providing funding for state-of-the-art care and medical advancements in the paediatric field. Thanks to this raffle, we’ve been able to help so many children across NSW and the ACT.”
