Released 18/04/2016
Canberra LEGO™ enthusiasts are helping to build a better community by generously donating $70,000 to benefit sick children and families at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children.
Assistant Minister for Health Meegan Fitzharris today accepted the $70,000 cheque from the Brick Expo organisers on behalf of the Canberra Hospital Foundation.
“Brick Expo Enterprises, Canberra Lego User Group and a dedicated group of volunteers have been supporting Paediatrics through the annual Brick Expo exhibition for six years now. During this time, the event organisers have generously raised over $250,000 to purchase pieces of medical equipment and other comfort items for the benefit of patients and families using the Centenary Hospital,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“The funds, which were raised at the 2015 Brick Expo event, will be used to produce child-friendly way finding images for paediatric services and wards on Level 1 of the Centenary Hospital. The images will be styled from the children’s book Yellow is My Colour Star written and illustrated by Judy Horacek.
“The funds will also contribute to the wall mosaic and model artwork, made entirely from thousands of LEGO™ pieces, which will be installed in the paediatrics outpatient waiting area later this year.
“The Brick Expo is an incredibly popular event in Canberra, attracting enthusiasts from of all ages to view the epic displays of LEGO™ cities, moving train and monorails sets, movie characters, as well as hundreds of unique models and miniature monuments.
“As a mum, I understand that having a child who is unwell can be really tough. And in the event they need to visit the hospital, these donations will go a long way to enabling the hospital to create environments where children can feel more relaxed and comfortable, which can be so beneficial for their well-being and even aid in their recovery.
“Donations such as this also provide practical benefits for our patients, while allowing the ACT Government to focus on the delivery of the core health services that underpin Canberra’s great public health system. “I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the incredibly generous support for paediatrics from the Brick Expo organisers and the Canberra community over the years, and I know many in our community are looking forward to this year’s Brick Expo event, which will be held over three days from 29-31 July 2016,” Minister Fitzharris said.
- Statement ends -
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases
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