Leo Sayer has praised the work of the Canberra Hospital Foundation. Photo: Dominic Giannini.
Every year, the Canberra Hospital Foundation supports more than 500,000 people who are hospitalised or receive treatment in Canberra. Now it’s asking for your help.
Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth and singer-songwriter Leo Sayer will join this year’s Can Give Day online telethon to raise money for more hospital services such as state-of-the-art treatment technology, life-changing clinical trials and therapeutic wellness programs.
The foundation’s telethon runs for 24 hours on 26 November and will include a breakfast concert from Mr Sayer starting at 9:00 am. The breakfast will be live-streamed from 9:00 am to 11:30 am.
The event will also introduce Canberrans to the hospital and show them what it does for people.
“This action of bringing the hospital to people and bringing people to the hospital to understand what the hospital is doing is a very important move,” said Mr Sayer.
“It is incredible that Canberra has gone from being a very cold place to a really warm community and I have seen it grow.
“I have seen it grow into a really wonderful residential community, and I think the residents have taken over from the bureaucrats to make it their own city. It is incredible.”
Mr Sayer, who now lives in the NSW Southern Highlands, says he is increasingly boogieing down to Canberra as opposed to Sydney because of the people.
Leo Sayer will perform a live-streamed concert for Can Give Day on 26 November. Photo: Dominic Giannini.
“This year has been difficult for many and I am happy to help the foundation bring some comfort to anyone in hospital,” he said.
“It will be a great show and one I hope will inspire Canberrans to give.”
Dr Coatsworth, no stranger to being live-streamed after a multitude of COVID-19 press conferences throughout 2020, has joined the initiative to help Canberra’s health system become one of the best in the nation.
”I want someone coming into this hospital to feel they’re getting a very smooth journey,” he said. “We are the capital – wouldn’t it be great if we could boast the best healthcare service in the country?”
Donations on the day will also have double the impact with insurance company GIO pledging to match the public’s donations.
“Almost every person at some point in their life needs public health care,” said Canberra Hospital Foundation chair Deborah Rolfe.
Dr Nick Coatsworth (left), Leo Sayer (centre) and Deborah Rolfe (right) are encouraging Canberrans to donate generously on Can Give Day. Photo: Dominic Giannini.
The foundation supports Canberra’s public hospitals and is aiming to raise $400,000 through the telethon.
For more information and to donate, visit Can Give Day.
