“IN the quiet spaces of our hearts, where joy and sorrow blend, we honour the tender journey of mothers who have carried life, cradled dreams, and embraced loss. Our dedicated birth suite is more than a space; it’s a sanctuary for healing, a cradle of comfort, and a testament to the strength and resilience of every mother’s heart. Here, within these nurturing walls, we stand with you, honouring the precious lives that have touched yours and the enduring love that forever connects you. In our shared compassion, let us weave a tapestry of support, stitched with hope and the gentle promise of brighter tomorrows.”
The Nu Nu Restaurant Melbourne Cup $100, 000 Lunch, held in spectacular fashion on November 7, has set the stage for a remarkable fundraising campaign aimed at transforming birth suite facilities at Cairns Hospital.
The event, hosted by the renowned Nu Nu Restaurant in Palm Cove, was an extravagant affair that brought together supporters, volunteers, and community leaders to make a significant contribution to the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s new birth suite fundraising appeal.
Guests gathered in style, dressed in their finest racing attire, to celebrate the Melbourne Cup while supporting a noble cause. Highlights of the day was the spectacular running of the horse race on Palm Cove beach announcement of the birth suite fundraising appeal, which aims to enhance maternity care facilities at Cairns Hospital, supporting families throughout the region.
One of the most memorable moments of the day was the announcement of the birth suite fundraising appeal’s goal of $200, 000. Funds raised will be directed towards improving the experience of women and families experiencing pregnancy loss.
In the event’s 20-year history, more than $400, 000 has now been raised, including this year’s tally of $100, 000.
With the aim of creating a warm, welcoming, and safe environment for families, the birth suite fundraising appeal is a crucial initiative that will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of the community.
Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said supporters at the Nu Nu Restaurant Melbourne Cup lunch made a powerful statement by pledging their commitment to the Birth suite appeal, with the astounding amount raised during the event itself.
“We were hoping to surpass last year’s tally but to do so in such spectacular style, was truly humbling,” Mrs Hogan said.
“By the end of the day we reached $91, 000 and then we had an anonymous donor come forward to say they wanted to get us to $100, 000,” she said.
“This generous contribution is just the beginning, and the Foundation is now calling upon the broader community to join the effort to reach the $200, 000 target. Donations from Christmas Wrap at Cairns Central and Earlville Shopping Town also will go towards the appeal and we are calling for the broader community’s support as well. Funds raised from the Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel earlier in the year, also will go towards this special campaign.
“This will be a sanctuary for healing, a cradle of comfort, and a testament to the strength and resilience of every mother’s heart. Within these nurturing walls, we stand with families, honouring the precious lives that have touched theirs and the enduring love that forever connects,” she said.
Donations and support from local businesses, individuals, and philanthropic organisations are welcomed to ensure the success of this vital project.
Find out more at www.fnqhf.org.au
Photo: Nu Nu Restaurant owners Nick Holloway, Amy Escott, Jason and Mo Rowbottom and Foundation CEO Gina Hogan.
