MORE than $1.32 million worth of life-enhancing medical equipment and research has been delivered by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.
The Foundation’s 2023-2024 Annual Report has been tabled in State Parliament, with a particular highlight being that supporters increased donations and bequests by 15% to $2,672,823.
“Our achievements this year are a testament to the power of community support and dedication,” CEO Gina Hogan said.
“From our supporters who have increased donations and bequests to our incredible volunteers, every effort makes a difference in delivering the best possible health care to Far North Queensland. Together, we are not just funding equipment and research; we are investing in the future of our region’s health, ensuring that world-class care is available right here at home,” Mrs Hogan said.
“The $4.3 million Donate for DaNi project continues to inspire. By June 30, 2024, nearly $1.7 million had been raised to fund a state-of-the-art surgical robot for Cairns Hospital, ensuring all patients in Far North Queensland have access to cutting-edge medical technology close to home,” she said.
“Our dedication to advancing health research and education is stronger than ever. This year, we proudly awarded $220, 000 in research grants and $43, 791 in education grants, totalling $263, 791, to support innovation and excellence in health care delivery.
“The remarkable efforts of our Friends of the Foundation (FoFs) resulted in them raising an impressive $681, 099 this financial year, directly enhancing health services in their local communities. Their fundraising enabled $590, 810 worth of medical equipment to be purchased across 10 groups, making a tangible difference in patient care.”
The Foundation’s social enterprises, including two thriving cafés, catering services, ATMs, the hospital car park, and more than 50 vending machines, contributed $4, 220, 000 in revenue, delivering a gross profit of $2, 893,500. This 34% increase from last year allowed the Foundation to fully cover its operational costs, ensuring that 100% of donations continue to go directly to funding critical health care initiatives.
With more than 100 hospital volunteers and 250 fundraisers in Cairns, and 140 forming vital FoF groups in locations such as Cooktown, Cow Bay, Mareeba, Gordonvale, Mossman, Croydon, lnnisfail, Herberton, Atherton, Tully and Weipa, these “Purple Angels” are essential to the Foundation's success.
Their passion and hard work continue to drive our success, and we remain committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for all volunteers to thrive.
“As we look to the future, the Foundation remains focused on delivering life-saving medical equipment, supporting groundbreaking research, and fostering community engagement to enhance the health and well-being of Far North Queensland. We thank our generous supporters and volunteers for making this an extraordinary year,” Mrs Hogan said.
The Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation 2023-24 Annual Report is available at https://fnqhf.org.au/annual-reports
