Donation benefits burns patients at John Hunter Hospital

On Monday 29 October, representatives from the Commonwealth Bank and NSW Fire Brigade are presenting the John Hunter Hospital Emergency Department with a cheque for $2050 collected during a joint fundraising effort.

Each month, staff in the 17 Commonwealth Bank branches across Newcastle dress in casual clothes to fundraise for a special cause. 

Manager of the Kotara Branch Brent Stahlhut said their latest Casual ‘Cause We Care fundraiser was conducted jointly with the NSW Fire Brigade and it was very successful.

“We approached the NSW Fire Brigade and they were happy to help us raise money to purchase equipment to help local burns patients,” Mr Stahlhut said.

“Together, we raised more than usual with lots of support  from Commonwealth Bank customers and the firemen got out amongst the shoppers at Westfield Kotara.”

NSW Fire Brigade Zone Commander Newcastle/Lake Macquarie Stephen Davis said the fundraiser was also a good opportunity to raise community awareness of fire safey and prevention.

“We’ll do anyhing we can to spread the fire safety message to prevent loss of life and property, and the Commonwealth Bank gave us the perfect opportunity to do this,” Mr Davis said.

John Hunter Hospital Director of Emergency Medicine Dr Carolyn Hullick said serious burns patients are stabilised at John Hunter before being transferred to a specialised burns unit in Sydney. 

“This donation will go a long way towards helping us purchase a Capnograph, which is a piece of equipment used to monitor carbon dioxide levels in burns patients who are on a ventilator, a breathing machine,” Dr Hullick said.

“We’re honoured that the Commonwealth Bank and NSW Fire Brigade want to help us provide the best possible care to people with serious burns.”

Contact: Gemma Smith

Phone: 49214501