Coles has launched a national fundraising campaign with Hospitals United for Sick Kids to help children in hospitals get home to the things they miss.
Until Tuesday, 23 April, Coles will donate 50¢ from every Cucina Matese pasta variety product sold in Coles supermarkets across Australia and on Coles Online to Hospitals United for Sick Kids to a maximum of $150,000.
The donation from the sales of Cucina Matese pasta is in addition to the retailer’s ongoing support to Hospitals United for Sick Kids through its Mum’s Sause range where, year-round, 50¢ from every Mum’s Sause pasta and pizza sauce sold goes to the charity. Customers can also support the cause by purchasing a $2 donation card at the checkout during the two-week campaign.
Funds raised will help support projects and initiatives delivered by one of eight hospitals, foundations and paediatric services that Hospitals United for Sick Kids partners with nationally. These initiatives include purchasing state-of-the art medical equipment, upgrading kids’ spaces in hospitals and expanding ‘Hospital in the Home’ services.
Coles ambassador Michael Weldon, who helped create the range of Mum’s Sause pasta and pizza sauces, encourages customers to get behind the cause.
“The Mum’s Sause range is particularly close to my heart and one that I’m incredibly proud to have been a part of from the beginning,” he says.
“My big sister spent more time in hospital than at home for the first 10 years of her life and our family pretty much lived in a hospital for six months while she had a transplant. That’s why I jumped at the chance to help develop Mum’s Sause, a product which not only raises vital funds for hospitals but also helps families create a simple and delicious home cooked pasta dish.”
Hospitals
Funds raised in this year’s campaign will help support an alliance partner in the state or territory where the Cucina Matese pasta product, Mum’s Sause or donation card was purchased. Specifically, funds raised in this year’s appeal will help support:
- The Common Good in Queensland to purchase a paediatric ultrasound machine at The Prince Charles Hospital along with sensory play equipment to support neurodivergent children presenting to Caboolture Hospital.
- Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation to fund a foodservice dietician position to help inpatients across the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.
- John Hunter Children’s Hospital in Newcastle to fund a Regional Paediatric Virtual Care service across areas such as Tamworth, Manning, Maitland and Armidale.
- Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation in Western Australia to boost the transformation of the Waalbiirniny Waabiny Boodja nature-space outside Perth Children’s Hospital.
- Canberra Hospital Foundation to support a “groundbreaking” initiative aimed at enhancing paediatric care, ensuring specialised support for young patients.
- Monash Children’s Hospital in Victoria to enhance its Hospital at Home program.
- Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation in South Australia to continue the rollout of its ‘Cocoon Program,’ for medically vulnerable babies from SA and the Northern Territory who are in, or at risk of entering, foster care.
- The Royal Hobart Hospital Women’s and Children’s Services in Tasmania to further expand their ‘Improving Procedures in Paediatrics’ project, aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of what is involved in procedures before they happen among patients and their families.
Further support
Coles suppliers Swisse Wellness and Arnott’s will also be supporting the campaign.
Until Tuesday, 23 April, the two brands will donate 50¢ to Hospitals United for Sick Kids when customers purchase any Swisse Vitamins product (to a maximum of $60,000) and Arnott’s Tiny Teddy Biscuits Variety 15 pack or Arnott’s Shapes Variety Pack Biscuits 15 pack (to a maximum of $35,000) at Coles supermarkets or Coles Online.