We are a small volunteer group of 17 fundraisers, we get no government assistance and are a non for profit organisation. Central Coast Kids In Need assist local families with accommodation costs to stay with their sick children while undergoing specialised treatment in Sydney/Newcastle hospitals.
A large proportion of these children are cancer patients, premature babies with life threatening health issues, bone marrow transplants, organ transplants, spina bifida, cystic fibrosis, Autism and ADHD and children with disabilities.
Our organisation has been established for 27 years and initially only had 3 hospitals on our books; Westmead Children’s, Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick and John Hunter. Over the past year we have had several premature babies airlifted to Royal North Shore hospital and occasionally they have to go as far afield as Nepean hospital as hospitals in our area cannot deal with premature babies less than 31 weeks and also Royal Hospital for Women Sydney.
Some children are in the hospital for months on end and this can put an enormous financial strain on families as they go from 2 salaries down to 1 with mum staying with the sick child and dad trying to work and visit where possible. We also pay travel costs for these trips and subsequent visits after the child has been released from hospitals and have to attend clinics for treatment .
We rely on Social Workers to introduce these families to our organisation. We don’t means test our families as they still have every day living expenses such as mortgages, rates, insurances and utility bills to pay.
Over the past 15 ½ years we have outlaid in excess of $3.68 million and assisted in excess of 3125 families
Already this financial year we have 158 families on our books and have paid $53,645.61 for accommodation, high cost prescription items, specialised formulas, quality of life equipment and travel expenses. We do rely on grants and donations to enable us to do what we do in our local area also the community spirit and generosity of the people of the Central Coast keeps us keeping on.
Our methods of fundraising are our donation houses in local businesses, Recycling cans and scrap metals. We also run an annual raffle held in conjunction with The Adam (Molch) Hillier Surf Classic held on the October Long Weekend and charity days run by various organisations with our assistance, but due to COVID these events cannot go ahead so we are dramatically down on funds and we do not qualify for the Government Stimulus Assistance as we are all volunteers and have no paid employees.
We also apply for Grants from the Club’s NSW CDSE and also Philanthropy trusts.
We endeavour to continue this fundraising to keep our families together during their time of crisis; we strive to make these children’s lives as happy as we can, all will have to agree there is nothing more important in our lives than our kids.
Should you require any further information or wish to donate please don’t hesitate to call Lorraine on Mobile 0428 326 284 or Rhonda on Mobile 0410 081 515 or go to our website www.cckin.com.au
Advertorial