Using his entrepreneurial skills, 8-year-old William Cook turned lemons into lemonade (quite literally) to help raise $722 to go towards the purchase of VR Goggles to help provide much-needed distraction to sick kids spending time in Toowoomba Hospital Paediatrics Unit.
Last year, William hosted a lemonade stand near his home welcoming his local community to purchase a refreshing drink with funds raised going to the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation.
Toowoomba Hospital Foundation CEO Alison Kennedy said every dollar helps make a difference in the lives and experiences of patients of all ages in the care of our local hospitals.
“We are so inspired by William’s effort, raising an incredible $722 at his homemade lemonade stand all in aid of making sure that kids are given the gift of distraction and entertainment while they are in hospital,” she said.
“It’s never fun being in hospital, especially when you’re a little scared, nervous, or it’s your first time being admitted.
“Thanks to William, we’ve been able to put his donation towards the purchase of VR Goggles which is providing our littlest of patients relief from anxiety or stressful procedures.”
Recently the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation invited William and his Mum to visit the Toowoomba Hospital to meet with Paediatric staff and to see exactly where his fundraising money ended up.
Toowoomba Hospital Paediatrics Unit Nurse Jill Codd said the new VR Goggles has made a world of difference to the ward and their patients.
“This device is used by paediatric patients from across our district who come to the Toowoomba Hospital for treatments or tests. This device alleviates some of their anxiety,” she said.
“We’ve had amazing feedback so far about the device, it’s just been the best thing that we’ve had in such a long time.
“We can’t thank William and his family enough it’s just been wonderful to have such a young fellow put his heart and soul into fundraising and gifting us this great device.”
If you’d like to fundraise for the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation you can start fundraising online today or chat with one of our Team, click the button below.