Woolworths and MySchool donate campaign proceeds

The donation has been used by the trust to purchase specialist Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) equipment that will enable the hospital each year to help save the lives of 10 children with life-threatening ear disease and prevent hearing loss in 750 children.

The Woolworths Christmas Giving campaign was supported by international music sensation Pharrel Williams, and funds were raised as a special additional donation every time customers swiped their MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and their linked Woolworths cards in-store between 5 November and 25 December.

“Woolworths and MySchool are such valued supporters of the Children’s Hospital Trust and the Red Cross Children’s Hospital,” said Louise Driver, CEO of the Children’s Hospital Trust. “As benefactors of their annual Christmas Campaign, the trust has been able to purchase much-needed ENT equipment to perform life-changing operations and interventions on children who suffer from severe ear disease, ensuring that they regain - or do not lose - their ability to hear. We want to thank them for their generous donation, as well as all the customers who swiped their cards while shopping. Every little swipe has made a huge difference in a child’s life.”

High-speed otologic drill

The new equipment purchased by The Children’s Trust includes a high-speed otologic drill that is needed to perform the surgery that can cure cholesteatoma, a disease of the middle-ear that can lead to death of a child. Patients at the hospital’s Out Patients Department will benefit from a specialist microscope used for examination, diagnosis and during procedures to prevent hearing loss. This will assist in more accurate and effective diagnoses, and improved procedures, which, in turn, will help the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital maintain its high standards of pediatric care.

“We are delighted that our customers were part of this successful campaign to give the gift of hearing to South African children in need,” said Pieter Twine, Woolworth’s GM of loyalty and MySchool. “The funds raised for this were in addition to our normal contributions to customers’ beneficiaries. So it was an easy way for them, at no extra cost, to participate in the essential, but very expensive, upgrade of the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital’s ENT equipment. The festive season should always be about giving, and it is such a pleasure to help to improve children’s access to specialist medical care.”