A MASTERTON Host Waipoua Lions' proposal to supply up to six new flat-screen televisions for the Wairarapa Hospital children's ward is the latest project to help make a hospital stay a positive experience for younger patients.
Carole McDonald, the volunteer co-ordinator said her team of volunteers were now well in stride
and in their distinctive red vests they were making their mark around the hospital.
Ms McDonald said at the moment there were 30 volunteers on the roster with six waiting in the wings with some coming in every week and others once a fortnight.
"I'm really hoping to have about 40 by Christmas, so anybody who's interested we'd be delighted to hear from them."
Hours were 9.30am-1pm and 1pm to 4.30pm and Ms McDonald said the volunteers did all sorts of jobs, like giving directions to visitors, delivering flowers, wheelchair duty, and generally carrying out roles that enhanced patient, visitor and staff well-being.
Another iron in the fire was the official launch this week of the "mobile shop" which will be manned by the volunteers in their latest venture. Three times a week from 11am the trolley, which has been donated by the Waipoua Lions, will be on the wards offering toiletries stationery and some sweets to patients.
"We'll carry things like toothpaste, toothbrushes and combs ? it's the little things like a toothbrush that people need and have forgotten in the rush and that's the sort of thing we will be able to supply."
And Peter Martin president of Waipoua Lions, said the chapter were contacting businesses within the Masterton district to see whether they would be interested in sponsoring a television, being involved with publicity for the project and having their name inscribed on an accompanying plaque.
The existing televisions were old, large and cumbersome and often were an obstruction to staff working in and moving around the rooms.
Mr Martin said 20-inch flat screen televisions could be mounted close to the wall and out of the way of staff and patients.
The project had got off to a good start with two firms putting up their hand to be sponsors and the Waipoua Lions had also decided to donate one of the screens.
Every Saturday morning the Lions ran the fundraiser "Cash for Cans", and the money generated from that would be used to buy the television.
