Radio digs deeps for sick kids

The Radiowest Annual Give Me 5 for Kids Quiz night will be taking place this Saturday, June 11 at the Stirling RSL Club raising funds for Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation’s Regional Assistance Fund.

Give Me 5 for Kids is run nationwide on the Southern Cross Austereo LocalWorks network, and raises millions of dollars across Australia each year for kids in hospital.

With generous funding from Radio West, PMH Foundation’s Regional Assistance Fund continues to be a key source of support for families from outside the metropolitan area who have a child in hospital.

This year Radiowest will also be hosting a Retro Night playing the best hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s at the Stirling Club RSL on Friday, June 24 from 8pm.

Albany Radiowest Broadcaster Terry Siva said a number of schools including Denmark Primary, Yakamia Primary, South Stirling and Cranbrook, will also be hosting free dress days to raising funds for the important cause.

“I think it is important because it’s about kids helping other kids. A lot of kids are healthy and can live a normal life, whilst others aren’t so lucky and need all the help they can’t get,” he said.

“It’s important that young kids understand this.”

Mr Siva said last year Radiowest across WA raised more than $200,000 for the Regional Assistance Fund which provides accommodation for regional WA families who have children in PMH.

“It’s an important cause because when a child is sick, more often than not they may have to leave Albany to receive treatment in Perth at Princess Margaret Hospital,” he said.

“The out-of-pocket expenses incurred during this time are significant and without the Regional Assistance Fund, many families just wouldn’t cope. Government assistance can only go so far and is always in demand, so we are here to provide another option that specifically caters to the needs of regional families.”

Mr Siva said he encourages people to attend the quiz and retro night to support other families in their time of need.

“We also need to grow the awareness about the Regional Assistance Fund,” he said.

“In Albany, the awareness is growing and in the past families had told me they were not aware that the fund existed so we are looking to rectify this situation, the more awareness the better.”

Tickets, bookings and more information for the events are available at RadioWest.