Kids can cruise thanks to airlines

22 Dec 2022

Teamwork literally makes the dream work, when it comes to buying equipment for Cairns Hospital.
The Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation recently bought a Kiddie Kruizer – a durable and fun wheeled chair for the children’s ward at Cairns Hospital.
Former patient Ryan George came up with the idea as both a patient himself, and having seen his brother experience the Children’s Ward as a patient.
“I just came up with the idea in my head. I thought if there was something that could make the place a bit more fun for kids when they’re driving to theatre, it would be good,” 14-year-old Ryan said.
Ryan set about fundraising by growing his hair and opting to have it shaved, with a portion of the funds raised going towards the Kiddie Kruizer.
But when it came to having the item delivered, Foundation staff were shocked to discover the transport cost from Melbourne was almost five times the purchase price.
Frustrated, Fundraising and Marketing Manager Glenys Duncombe put her extensive network of contacts to good use and contacted Jetstar and Qantas pilots who had taken part in the QSuper Cardiac Challenge.
Jetstar pilot Bill Kentish came up with the goods and arranged free delivery to Cairns through QantasFreight.
“My connection with the Foundation started through the Cardiac Challenge about 10 years ago. It is all about community supporting services needed/provided at a local level, which I feel is incredibly important,” Mr Kentish said.
“I have great respect and admiration for the work Glenys and the team does, and it was through our connection that Glenys reached out for some help in moving the Kiddie Kruiser from Melbourne to Cairns. I can't take any credit apart from asking the right person at the right time. Thanks goes Chris Putland and Phill Noack at the Jetstar Cairns Base for putting a plan in place, but the real credit goes to Larry Davy at Qantas Freight for making it happen!
“I was very impressed with the Kruiser… but it was really amazing to see the reaction from all the nurses on the children's ward when we turned up. Their reaction tells me that it is something that will make a real difference,” he said.
Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said that it was a lovely piece of equipment that would bring a smile to many faces in a challenging time.
“And of course, that massive freight saving means that money is now available for other purchases, rather than transport,” Mrs Hogan said.
She also paid tribute to former patient Ryan George, who came up with the idea of the Kiddie Kruizer.
Cairns Hospital Children’s Ward Acting Nurse Unit Manager Donna Martin said the Kiddie Kruizer would be utilised to transfer children to theatre.
“The transfer to theatre can be quite scary being a little person in a big bed being wheeled through the corridors.  Children will be able to sit in the Kiddie Kruizer and hopefully feel a little less overwhelmed on their journey to and from theatre or to other departments in the hospital,” Mrs Martin said.
“Thanks to the Hospital Foundation, Mr Kentish, Jetstar and QantasFreight for the collaboration in bringing this equipment to Cairns,” she said.
But the final word went to Ryan: “It’s just really great to see it, and see children in hospital so excited by it. I bet it’s a lot of fun in the ward and I wish I was little enough to have a go!”

Photo: Cairns Hospital Children’s Ward nurses Seline Sloan, Shannon McClelland, Madalyn Neate, Joli Crantich, Carly Cooper, Taylor Kowalick and Donna Martin are flanked by Jetstar pilot Bill Kentish (left) and Foundation CEO Gina Hogan (right).
Photo: Ryan George with the Kiddie Kruizer.

 

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