YOUR STORY: Bank staff dressed up for charity
ON FRIDAY, July 3, BOQ North Rockhampton staff ditched their bank uniform in favour of dressing up in costume to raise awareness and money for their children's hospitals fundraiser, Banking on our Kids.
The appeal raises vital funds for Children's Hospital Foundation Australia, the national fundraising partnership that supports five of the country's major children's hospitals.
BOQ's annual July appeal raises funds that help give sick Aussie children the chance to grow up and achieve their dreams.
Now in its 11th year, BOQ's Banking on our Kids appeal has raised $1.5 million in donations, and this year aims to raise a further $300,000 to contribute to funding research and equipment through Children's Hospital Foundation Australia.
BOQ North Rockhampton owner-manager Michael Polkinghorne said it was good fun to make customers laugh while donating to a good cause.
"For our dress-up, we cast our minds back to our own childhood dreams and what we wanted to be when we were younger," Michael said.
"It certainly surprised some of our customers when they found their usual bank tellers had turned into firemen, ballerinas and all sorts.
"But it was a great way to spread the word about our appeal and that's really what this is all about; raising funds for our country's children's hospitals - even if it means commuting to work and getting some funny looks.
"There are hundreds of sick children in hospitals across the country, battling serious illness every day, and we just want to do what we can to help them get healthy, go home and have the chance to grow up and achieve their dreams," he said.
Children's Hospitals Foundation Queensland chief executive officer Cameron Prout said the appeal with BOQ was extremely important and had helped thousands of sick children and their families go home and enjoy long, happy lives.
"Through the Banking on our Kids Appeal we have been able to purchase the latest paediatric hospital equipment, funded ground-breaking research into childhood illnesses, supported capital projects and funded patient/parent services at our five children's hospitals," Cameron said.
"We are looking forward to see what we can achieve this year with the support of BOQ and the generosity of customers and members of the public.
"It's truly a great cause and we would like to thank BOQ for their ongoing support," he said.
All donations from the appeal go directly towards funding vital equipment, research into breakthrough treatments and ultimately cures through the Children's Hospital Foundation Australia which supports the five major children's hospitals in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.
How do I donate?
Donations can be made throughout the month of July by:
Dropping into your local BOQ branch
Calling 1300 737 766
Visiting http://www.boq.com.au/kids
