The ward is one of the busiest at the hospital and specialises in the treatment of kids with infectious and chronic illnesses, including HIV/AIDS and TB. Built in 1956, it is in urgent need of a modern upgrade, which is where the annual initiative came in.
In addition to hosting a seafood banquet for youngsters on National Children's Day with St Joseph's Marist College, the company also pledged 10c from every box of its Fish Fingers, Fish Burgers, Fish Cakes, Surfers and Hake Bakes sold nationwide. The funds will be handed over to the Children's Hospital Trust, after which the company will treat 60 kids from St Joseph's Home to a fun-filled trip to see the new 'Pirates! Bands of Misfits' animated movie. For many children from St Joseph's, which is home to many outpatients, it will be their first trip to the cinema.
For Prof Brian Eley, head of the Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, the funds represent a step forward in the long-term project to upgrade the ward. "HIV, TB, diarrhoea and pneumonia are collectively responsible for more than 60% of under-five mortality in South Africa. The proposed upgrade will contribute significantly to improving the care of many children with these poverty-related diseases. The redesigned ward should also lower the risk for hospital-acquired infections, and improve the care of children with drug-resistant TB, a serious and growing health challenge."
"The Children's Hospital Trust is grateful for Sea Harvest's committed support and for choosing us once again as the beneficiary for its campaign. This vital upgrade will contribute significantly to improving the care of many children with these poverty-related diseases," says Louise Driver, CEO of the Children's Hospital Trust.
"We are delighted to be able to play a small part in helping an institution that dedicates itself to helping millions of youngsters from across the country, and even the rest of Africa," adds Hess.
Driver agrees. "This partnership is a great fit for us as it encourages kids to eat healthy fish meals they love while, at the same time, they are donating money to ensure sick kids at the hospital keep getting the very best medical care. We hope these funds will go some way to making a difference to the nurses and other healthcare professionals who do such excellent work here."
"What could be more rewarding than knowing you are helping thousands of sick kids get better? We are 100% committed to being on board for a third year and hope to raise even more funds to benefit the hospital," concludes Hess.
