News

Donation will put a smile on little faces

Sep 01, 2016

The generosity of a Sydney family will make the encounter of a hospital stay just a little happier for some Mildura families.

Soner Gundogar arrived at Mildura Base Hospital earlier this week bearing gifts – $500 worth of toys for young patients.

“They’re for any child the hospital staff feel could use their day being brightened a bit, whether they are in the kids’ ward or intensive care or anywhere in the hospital,” Soner said.

“I have made donations before to hospitals in Sydney, and I do the gold marathon there each year for the Sydney Children’s Hospital, but this is the first time I’ve actually donated toys.”

Soner had the help of his three-year-old son Korae in selecting the gifts from the Toymates store in Sydney, which also contributed to the cause.

“Korae is sick himself, so I have seen the inside of a lot of hospitals and I know how hard it can be for the kids,” Soner said.

“I am often in Mildura because I own a property here and Korae had to visit Mildura Base Hospital a few months back,” he said.

“I was impressed with the hospital, the staff and the way we were treated here, so I just wanted to give something back.”

MBH Paediatric Nurse Unit Manager Ros Roberts thanked Soner for the family’s generosity.

“A little gesture of kindness can sometimes make all the difference for a child and a family going through a tough time and the toys will be there for some of those kids,” Ros said.

All donations to MBH are reported to the hospital’s Community Advisory Board and always go directly to the service for which they are intended.