Giving Day spreads joy to kids and health professionals in hospital

6 December 2023 | Expected time to read: 2 minutes

Two Children's Hospital at Westmead patients getting their photo taken with Santa in his grotto for SCHF Giving Day 2023

On Tuesday 5 December 2023, Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation had our first Giving Day as part of Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation Christmas Appeal, aiming to raise vital funds and give sick kids the brightest Christmas possible. Thanks to the incredible support of our Movement of Many, we have raised an incredible $6,500,101 – and counting.  

Volunteers and a Westmead Nurse waving to the camera

Activations across Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, and Martin Place brought joy and the Christmas Spirit to kids in hospital and their families, as well as the doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals who are working tirelessly to get as many kids as possible home before Santa comes!  

Once again, long-time SCHF partners Krispy Kreme and Sydney Markets joined us in providing donuts and fresh fruit to patients, families and doctors, nurses and allied health professionals across Sydney Children's Hospitals Network. Unilever also joined as a supporter, providing ice cream across the Children's Hospitals and brightening up the faces of many kids. Many patients took their chance to send their drawings to Rudolph and take a photo with Santa at Santa's Grotto. He was a busy man visiting both Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick AND The Children's Hospital at Westmead.  

Bazzi family pictured with Sydney Swans players Maddy Collier and Callum Mills in front of a NETS emergency vehicle

New partners, the Western Sydney Wanderers, also helped Santa hand out presents at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. It was an exciting collaboration that made many patients, families and staff happy seeing the local soccer champions join the Movement of Many. 

Martin Place saw our Movement of Many in full force, taking donations and spreading awareness about Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation and what difference a donation could make at this time of year.

SCHF CEO Kristina Keneally spending time with patients and their families at Santa's Grotto in the Children's Hospital at Westmead on Giving Day 2023

Throughout the appeal, we have shared stories of kids who have been able to experience the joys of the festive season and embody the holiday spirit of giving thanks to our Movement of Many and donors like you and thanks to the incredible support of the community on Giving Day we will be able to help many kids have the brightest Christmas possible.  

Kids like James, who was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that could have swollen his spinal cord beyond repair. Thanks to his timely diagnosis, he was treated, and all his symptoms reversed. Now, he has finished his first year of Kindergarten and is enjoying the holiday season with his Mum, Yvonne.  

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Milo and Minka posing in front of some SCHF Giving Day Christmas decorations

A special thanks to Sunrise, who helped us kick off Giving Day at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, and 7NEWS, who visited NETS Headquarters in Bankstown with Sydney Swans. 

Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation Christmas Appeal Giving Day was a huge success, and it would not have been possible without all the generous partners and donors. Thank you for helping give sick kids the brightest Christmas possible.  

Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation Christmas Appeal runs until 25 December, so there is still the chance to give a life-changing gift this Christmas. 

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Collage of Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation staff and donors making a heart symbol with their hands