Tears of joy were shed by Hawke's Bay Hospital's frontline paediatric staff at the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal announcement on Wednesday morning, with the news a special isolation room and dedicated outdoor space for immune-compromised kids would become a reality.
Countdown Regional Group Manager for Hawke's Bay, Taupo and Gisborne, Wayne Dohmen, announced the Hawke's Bay District Health Board would be awarded with the second biggest cheque ever received by the DHB since the appeal began - with $113,349.00 gifted.
A Children's Ward isolation room and outside space was granted the full $80,500 wish list request and a colposcope for the paediatrics area, listed second on the wish list, was also granted at a total of $32,848.56.
It will go towards much needed medical equipment to help get Kiwi kids home from hospital faster.
Since 2007, Countdown Kids Hospital appeal has donated $710,996 to Hawke's Bay Hospital and today's donation brings the grand total to $824,345.
Mr Dohmen said "the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal shows that there are many ways everyday Kiwis can assist our children on the road to a healthier life – you don't have to be a doctor or nurse to help."
"We see this appeal as part of a commitment to giving back to local communities and supporting good causes that make life that little bit better for future generations."
Associate Clinical Nurse manager, Patrice Nicol said it meant so much and would make "such a difference to our patients and their families, we are overjoyed,"
HBDHB service director of the Community, Women and Children Directorate, Claire Caddie, thanked Countdown on behalf of the DHB and said they were blown away to receive their top two priorities on their wish list.
"The DHB as an organisation, from Board to Directorate commend, acknowledge and are delighted to be one of the DHB's who are regular recipients of the Countdown funds.
"Our teams across the region have enjoyed holding and attending a range of fundraising activities, including our Wairoa team who don't have a Countdown but held an amazing trivia and karaoke night raising $2500.
"The isolation room and the child colposcope have been wanted for some time, so this is really significant. Thank you so much," she said.
This year the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal has raised more than $1.26 million for 13 children's wards across the country.