Help Unitec support your local children’s ward

^{02 May 2012}

Unitec is supporting Waitemata DHBs children's ward

Ensuring that our children have access to health care when they need it is a key driver behind the newly expanded Rangitira Unit at Waitakere Hospital.

The Rangitira Unit is Waitemata District Health Board’s paediatric ward for 0-14 year olds and as Waitemata has the second largest population of 0-19 year olds in the country, this service is critical. In 2011 almost 2,500 children from North Shore City, Rodney District and Waitakere City were treated in the Rangitira Unit.

The expansion of the unit began earlier this year and will mean shorter waiting times for children in ED, a reduction in unnecessary transfers between wards and hospitals, and a reduction in the stress that families feel when children are in hospital.

While Waitemata DHB received funding to extend the building, more money is needed to enhance the environment and facilities for children undergoing treatment and their families.

This is where you come in.  As the major sponsor of a six week fundraising campaign, Unitec is getting behind Waitemata DHB and the community. 

"We are delighted to be able to support this fundraising initiative,” says Wendy Horne, Executive Dean of Unitec’s Social and Health Sciences Faculty. “Waitemata District Health Board and Unitec have a strong partnership, with many of our health science and social practice students undertaking work-based learning experiences through WDHBs hospitals, communities and primary health care environments.”

The fund-raising campaign kicked off on Tuesday with the Wellkids Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Waitakere Hospital. Shortland Street Stars, Amanda Billing and Jacqueline Nairn, were on hand and helped out at the ‘Bear Clinic’.

To make a donation:

• Text KIDS to 2499 make an automatic $3 donation (you can text as many times as you want until June 21)
• Pay online (03-0181-0188806-000. Please put the word ‘Rangitira’ in the reference field
• Make a cash payment at Waitakere or North Shore Hospitals cashiers offices (open Mon-Fri 8-4)
• Pay by cheque (payable to Three Harbours Health Foundation. Write the reference ‘Rangitira’ on the back). Post to Private Bag 93-503 Takapuna, Auckland, ATTN: Accounts Receivable