The eight-week Fresh Future appeal raised a grand total of $953,726 which is to be distributed between 10 children’s hospitals throughout New Zealand. Mr Smith says Kidz First was always going to be a primary hospital the campaign would focus on.
He says more than 2.5 million shoppers a week and 19,000 staff bought into the campaign and made it possible for Progressive Enterprises to give something back to communities.
Checkout operators sold raffle tickets and people could make text donations to the appeal. A handful of the other fundraising initiatives included a team cycling the length of New Zealand, head and leg shaving for males, a children’s duathlon and a music and wine festival at Villa Maria Estate.
The appeal was driven by local Progressive staff doing local things “all for the kids”.
Counties Manukau District Health Board chief executive officer Geraint Martin says the donation makes a huge difference to the quality of care provided at Middlemore’s ICU.
At the cheque presentation, Michelle Maley shared her personal experiences of Middlemore’s paediatric ICU care, having spent much time in the ward with her son Keegan.
Mayor Len Brown also expressed his appreciation of the donation following his ICU stay this year at both Middlemore and Auckland hospitals.
