INCREDIBLE, is one of many words used by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s new CEO, to describe the organisation’s work.
Tony Williamson has spent the past few weeks settling in to the role and this week, took the opportunity to spend some time with chairman Dr Ken Chapman, at various sites around the hospital.
“Really, the business model of the Foundation is incredible – all the profits from the cafes and carpark, cover staff wages and other costs which means every cent donated goes where it should,” Mr Williamson said.
“This is almost unheard of in the charity sector so it’s a real privilege to be involved with an organisation where you can shout that from the rooftops,” he said.
Dr Chapman spent some time at Cairns Hospital with Mr Williamson this week, including checking out some of the gorgeous home-made wares produced and sold by volunteers.
“These lovely little items might not seem like a lot on the surface, but in the past five years, the Craft Ladies have raised a staggering $124, 705,” Dr Chapman said.
“In 2019 they held 40 craft stalls at Cairns Hospital, a Christmas stall and the crafts are also sold at the information desk,” he said.
“In the past 23 years, the Foundation has contributed more than $19 million to improve health outcomes from Tully to Croydon to Cairns, Weipa, the Torres Strait and everywhere in between and every little contribution likes the craft stalls, adds up to that massive total,” he said.
Photo: Foundation CEO Tony Williamson, volunteers Bev Lang, Jan Holmes, Lee Oastler and chairman Dr Ken Chapman.
