Jen Hawkins to hit Coast for Spring Carnival fundraiser

Excitement is building ahead of the Wishlist Spring Carnival Gala lunch with special guest Jennifer Hawkins, as over 600 Sunshine Coast business professionals and local celebrities prepare to raise funds for a much needed emergency paediatric area at Nambour Hospital.  The sell-out event will be hosted at Twin Waters this Friday, September 17, and will be a glamorous affair with high profile hosts Natalie Barr from Seven Sunrise and local breakfast jock, Todd Widdicombe.

The event, sponsored by Coastline BMW, hopes to raise $100,000 to create a child-friendly paediatric area in Nambour Hospital's emergency department which Wishlist Manager, Lisa Rowe believes is essential to offer quality care for children across the Sunshine Coast.

"At the moment children are kept in the same area as adults which can result in them being exposed to some pretty frightening and unpredictable situations once admitted to the emergency ward," said Lisa.

"Wishlist is committed to establishing a brightly decorated, separate area for children with kid's furniture, high chairs, bassinets, DVD players and toys to make the experience less confronting and scary."

The gala lunch raised over $90,000 for juvenile diabetes last year and Travis Schultz, Managing Partner of Schultz Toomey O'Brien Lawyers and Chair of the event organising committee, expects to exceed $100,000 this year with twelve major and almost 90 silent auction items going under the hammer.

"This year promises to exceed all expectations and the generosity of people on the Sunshine Coast makes it possible for us to achieve great things thanks to one very well supported event." said Travis.

"The event was oversubscribed before we released all the details and with the celebrity line-up, the impressive Myer fashion show and the opportunity to bid on prizes such as lunch with the greats - Kieran Perkins, Liam Birchley and Alistair Lunch, we believe our guests won't be disappointed."

Other major auction items include an all areas access pass to Bathurst with Mark Berretta, a painting by local artist, Kendall, a behind the scenes Seven Sunrise set visit, 101 bottles of fine wine, a week's luxury accommodation, a Dunlopillo bed and golf bag signed by Jennifer Hawkins, an Australian Open package and advertising packages with the Sunshine Coast Daily and Prime Radio.

"This lunch enables us to really make a difference in the lives of children across the Coast and we couldn't do it without the fantastic support of our sponsors and supporters," said Lisa.

Spring Carnival Gala
Friday, 17th September,  2010
Novotel Twin Waters Resort

Last year, the first event, was a great success raising over $87,000 for Wishlist (the new brand of the foundation) who directed funds to support Juvenile Diabetes's on the Sunshine Coast.  In 2010 all funds raised will go towards the new four-bed paediatric bay in the Emergency Department at Nambour Hospital.  

One of the most successful parts of the event last year was the silent auction raising over $20,000. We hope this year will be bigger and better and would be very appreciative if you would consider donating an item to the silent auction. The value's range from $20 through to $3000.

In return for your offer you receive the following:
*    Logo on the 'silent auction' screens which rotate throughout the day
*    Logo featured in the promotional booklet
*    Logo on the Spring Carnival Website www.springcarnival.com.au

If you would like to donate something, please email us and let us know what you would like to contribute and we will then get Lisa from Wishlist to get in touch.

We hope you are able to get on board with this very good cause to support.