Light Up Orange lighting up kid’s lives

Craig McMahon (Kennards Hire), Lianna Speers (Triple M), Holly Manning (ManningPR), and Neil Gill (Triple M).

Thanks to community support, Orange’s New Year’s Eve laser light show has raised $4250 for Triple M’s Give Me 5 for Kids ensuring much needed equipment can be purchased for the children’s ward at the Orange Health Service.

Presenting the donation last week, Craig McMahon —Regional Manager of Light Up Orange major sponsor Kennards Hire, thanked the sponsors and ticket purchasers who made the donation possible.

“Without the sponsorship we received from local and national organisations, we couldn’t have put on the event and certainly wouldn’t have been in a position to donate the ticket sales to Triple M’s Give Me 5 for Kids,” said Craig.

“The event’s major sponsors were Kennards Hire, Newcrest Mining and Orange City Council, and we were fortunate to have several other businesses pitch in to make the event happen such as Triple M, OCTEC and Orange Aboriginal Medical Service plus thirteen other sponsors.”

The sold-out event was attended by 1800 people, closing out what was a challenging year for many.

“We were happy to put on an event when so many similar events had been cancelled due to COVID. It was great to see so many families and friends out together, at a socially acceptable distance, celebrating the end of the year,” said Craig.

The donation was gratefully received as it was also a difficult year for all charity fundraising.

“In 2019 the Triple M group managed to raise $100,276.60 placing us 9th out of 34 markets and it’s hoped a similar amount can be raised in 2021,” said Triple M announcer Neil Gill.

The money will be used to purchase equipment for the Orange Health Service Children’s ward, based on a wish list prepared by local paediatricians. Previous requests include:  A television in the treatment room to distract children whilst having procedures; Mannequins for Newborn Resus training; Hands free headphones for use during phone consultations with NET’s or peripheral sites; and selection of toys for the waiting room in Paediatric Clinic.

This year’s wish list hasn’t yet been finalised, but includes a portable skill trainer for realistic infant resuscitation training.