CONTRACTORS for the Atherton Hospital redevelopment continue to help raise funds for the Atherton Hospital Friends of the Foundation.
FKG Group Project Manager Kent Radnedge said his team of 10 staff were not only working hard on the project, but working hard to help the community.
Atherton Hospital Friends of the Foundation is a subsidiary of the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, which fundraises in the local community with all funds staying local in Atherton.
Coca-Cola Amatil have supplied a vending machine on the redevelopment site which is filled with cold drinks – with all profits donated.
There is a recycling bin for cans and bottles. Once a fortnight these are taken to the recycling station and all proceeds are donated.
And once a month, an on-site barbecue is held, with all attendees asked to give a gold coin donation and all proceeds donated.
“The team at the Atherton Hospital project are very proud to help raise money to go towards the Atherton Friends of the Hospital Foundation,” Mr Radnedge said.
“It’s not just the FKG Group but all subcontractors and anyone who comes on site contributes. Whether it’s just buying a cold drink, bringing their empty bottles from home or just dropping in a gold coin and joining us for a barbecue. They may seem like small contributions at the time, but they soon add up,” he said.
Foundation CEO Tony Williamson said the fundraising was a great initiative by the company to support the community in which they are working.
In addition to the FKG staff, up to 40 workers employed by nine contractors are working on site.
In the 2016/17 State Budget, the government announced the $70 million redevelopment of the Atherton Hospital as part of the $230 million Advancing Queensland’s Health Infrastructure Program (AQHIP).
The redevelopment of Atherton Hospital is occurring in stages. Stage 1 was a new Community, Allied and Mental Health Building on Jack Street, which opened its doors on 7 September 2020.
A new helipad also has been built at the hospital as part of this first stage of the redevelopment.
The second stage of the redevelopment will construct a new purpose-built four-storey Clinical Services Building, providing a new emergency department, medical imaging, inpatient, maternity and birthing service with private ensuite facilities, operating and endoscopy theatres and a sterilising unit. This is expected to be completed in 2022. General refurbishments will also take place within other existing buildings.
Photo: FKG Group Project Manager Kent Radnedge with the donation tin and vending machine.