A note from our CEO
Kids West has evolved as a charity since 1991, as it has carried out its primary purpose of raising funds for the children’s hospitals of Western Sydney. From that initial meeting at Westmead Hospital in July 1991, where representatives from the broader community including NSW Ambulance, Police, Fire and Rescue, McDonalds, NSW Health staff, local clubs and community services, to now, we've seen in excess of $5.6m raised and countless hours given to assist a large number of organisations improving the health and wellbeing of children throughout Western Sydney.
I recall the very passionate Professor Ruben Dubois who was head of Paediatrics at Westmead Hospital saying, “…we are desperate for funds and our Kids are missing out.” Well, as a result of Rubens passion and the motivation of many, a new no frills charity was born, a charity that really was different in that it was driven by the community for the community. A charity that had access to where funds were needed most and how to ensure that funds raised resulted in direct help.
From a very small beginning, fundraising through fetes, raffles and small community events, in the first 5 years we managed to fund specialised wheelchairs, monitors to enable a child to spend more time at home and less time in hospital, support local school education through our accident and awareness program, and a small amount of work assisting other charitable groups like the Lions Club, Variety and Ronald McDonald House.
It was 1997 that saw Kids West introduce Cash Housie (club bingo) and with the assistance of local clubs we started to raise significant funds, placing us in a much stronger position to support equipment and programs in more local hospitals.
Over recent years we’ve not only supported Paediatric Intensive Care Wards donating more than $3.4m throughout Western Sydney, but also supported breakfast programs for disadvantaged children, the Millennium Foundation, an intellectually handicapped children’s soccer team, numerous specialised pieces of equipment for Westmead and the Children’s hospital and hospital equipment in country areas such as Coolah Hospital. Our support has even reached places such as Condobolin assisting families in times of drought and more recently Quirindi in the North West, where we assisted in donating more than 1,200 Christmas Gifts to the many families in the Liverpool Plains area. In addition we’ve supplied a portable desalination unit valued at $120,000 to enable poor quality bore water to be filtered at a rate of 75,000 litres a day. This water is made available through the towns main bore to all those living in the local community.
Proudly in 2003 Kids West through it’s financial support, were instrumental in launching the Shaken Baby Project. This unique educational program helps parents better understand the dangers of shaking a baby and some of the methods used to calm a crying baby. This wonderful program is believed to have reduced the incidents of death or serious injury, is available in 12 different languages and has now been provided to 15 counties throughout the world. We at Kids West through our continued support are now striving to have this educational material available to the parents of every newborn throughout NSW and then Australia.
Kids West strives to bridge the gaps and provide support where it is most needed. In these times raising funds from the community and the corporate sector is challenging, however with your support Kids West will continue to provide a unique service to the community, providing much needed equipment and programs for sick or disadvantaged children and help saves lives.
To our supporters that make this possible we say thank you.”
On behalf of the Kids West team
Trevor B Oldfield AM KSJ JP
HISTORY
1991
Kids West is born
In July 1991 Kids West was born following a meeting at Westmead Hospital with representatives from the NSW Ambulance, Police, Fire and Rescue, Clubs and Community, McDonalds and NSW Health.
Trevor Oldfield and Professor Reuben Dubois founded the no frills charity to raise funds from the community and distribute it to where it was needed the most, without having to go through red tape.
1992
Our First Donation
By the end of 1992 Kids West had received it’s first donation with funds raised at a family day at the Australian Pioneer Village in Wilberforce.
1994
Our first Cash House event
Kids West Cash Housie began on November 23 in 1994 at Wentworthville Leagues Club. The first event raised $564. Cash House continues to be an important source of fundraising today with over $4.3m vital funds raised to date.
The gift of play for Blacktown Hospital
Kids West funded a play area for Blacktown Hospital to the value of $35,000.
Westmead gets its first paediatric special care bed
Kids West gifted the first special care bed to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Westmead Hospital to the value of $38,000.
Kids West helps save a life
In August 1994, 7 week old baby Jarrod Lowe was rushed to Westmead Hospital where he was cared for by a sophisticated piece of monitoring equipment, only available as a result of Kids West fundraising efforts.
Paediatric Specialist Dr Robin Choong said at the time that the work of Kids West was becoming increasingly vital.
Parramatta Princesses support Kids West
In February 1994 Parramatta Princess entrants supported Kids West by raising funds to purchase a much needed monitor for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Westmead Hospital. After a successful campaign Trevor was presented with a $24,000 cheque, with the $3,000 balance funded by Kids West.
In memory of Dr Reuben Dubois (1935 – 1994)
Professor Reuben Dubois was a Co-Founder of Kids West and at the initial meeting in July 1991. The passionate head of Paediatrics at Westmead Hospital is remembered for saying “we are desperate for funds and our Kids are missing out.”
As a result of this passion and the motivation of many, Kids West was born.
1995
Nepean Hospital children’s gym
In October 1995 Kids West donated more than $2,000 to Nepean Hospital for the children’s gym. Funding specialised equipment to help kids with movement problems develop balance and co-ordination with early skills such as sitting and crawling.
1996
Kids West celebrates 5 years!
In 1996 Kids West supported the Children’s Hospital at Westmead with 3 key funding projects worth over $100,000. A specialised bed and equipment for the management of children with Muscular Dystrophy at a cost of $25,000. $36,000 to the Safe House program, and a special monitor and video equipment for the visually impaired worth $3,800.
1997
More special care beds for Westmead
During 1997 Kids West funded 2 additional special care beds for the Neonatal Unit of the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, totalling $84,000. The additional care that the neonatal unit could now provide was immeasurable.
Work in Regional NSW
February 1997 saw Kids West lend a hand further west, donating a brand new state of the art defibrillator to the Coolah District Hospital. Kids West donated $6,000 towards the $8,750 unit, with the balance raised by the ‘Heart Starter’ community event held at Coolah Bowling Club
Kids West keeps Rebecca rolling
In October 1997 Kids West donated a specialised wheelchair to a little girl called Rebecca Ellen. Rebecca was a bubbly young girl with a cheeky personality suffering from muscular dystrophy. Her parents felt they had exhausted all available avenues to assist in funding a wheelchair so that Rebecca could become mobile and attend school. Hearing of the challenges Rebecca faced, including having to be carried from and to classes at school by her friends, Kids West made it their mission to help this beautiful little girl. By raising the thousands of dollars necessary to help transform Rebecca’s life, Kids West provided her with the independence she longed for.
Rebecca’s condition meant her life expectancy was as little as 6 or 7 more years. When she passed away in her late teens Rebecca’s Mum reached out to Kids West to offer the return of the wheelchair and express how grateful the family were for the support.
1998
Vital supplies for hospitals across Western Sydney
Kids West funded $17,000 worth of trachea cleaning kits for use in a number of Paediatric wards across Western Sydney.
1999
A gift of play for Merrylands
Kids West funded $28,000 worth of play equipment to the Merrylands Community and Early Childhood Centre.
2002
Cheque presented to NSW Minister for Health
In September 2002 a cheque for $650,000 was presented to Craig Knowles, NSW Minister for Health. These funds were provided by Kids West to enable the purchase of specialised Neonatal Intensive Care equipment for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Kids West raised this money through Cash Housie events.
2003
A decade of vital support
2003 marked 10 years of support for the Westmead Hospital Paediatric Unit with $860,000 worth of specialised equipment donated in total. Some of this equipment was transferred to the new Children’s Hospital at Westmead when its purpose built facility was opened in November 1995.
2006
Kids West helps drought affected families
Across 2005 and 2006 Kids West donated in excess of $28,000 in Christmas gifts and funds to families affected by drought in Lake Cargelligo and Condobolin. The Kids West team personally delivered toys, food items and cash donations to impacted families.
2008
Newborn care unit not possible without Kids West
Late 2008 saw the Westmead Children’s Hospital open its newborn care unit which, according to Acting Head Nurse Sally Jye, would not have been possible without the help of Kids West. Kids West purchased and donated 4 humidicribs with each bed costing $50,000.
2009
Bowled over by support
In March 2009 Kids West held a Barefoot Bowls event at Parramatta RSL, raising $1,725 with the support of local businesses.
Recognition from the Indian community
In March 2009 Kids West are recognised and thanked at a cultural evening organised by the Indian Australian Arts & Film Association (IAAFA), for supporting the program and other youth initiatives within the Indian community for more than 7 years.
Support for Redbank House
In 2009 Kids West donated $50,000 to the Redbank House Early Intervention Program along with a further $20,000 towards the construction of a bike track at the facility.
Redbank is located at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and is part of a combined Department of Education and Training and Department of Health facility for the treatment of children and adolescents with emotional, behavioural or psychiatric difficulties.
Supporting the Dance of the Champions
In September 2009 Kids West donated funds to the 2009 Dance of the Champions organised by Sydney Eisteddfod.
Recognition received for Shaken Baby Prevention Project
In November 2009 Kids West received a certificate of appreciation from The Shaken Baby Prevention Project for its ongoing commitment and support. Kids West are the inaugural sponsors of the Children’s Hospital at Westmead project.
Find out more about our work on the Shaken Baby Prevention Project.
Successful donation drive for sick kids
In December 2009 Kids West presented a cheque for $31,000 to Dr Stephen Jacobe, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Medical Director at Westmead Children’s Hospital. These funds were raised to purchase a portable ventilator to allow children with respiratory problems move about the hospital. $12,000 was donated by the community through a donation drive, with Kids West funding the difference.
2010
2 more special care beds for Westmead
In late 2009 and early 2010 Kids West was able to purchase a further 2 Paediatric Intensive Care beds for the Neonatal Care Unit at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, worth $52,000 each.
Our 10th humidicrib donation
In January 2010 Sargents Pies donated $50,000 to Kids West. This was used to purchase a much needed humidicrib for the newborn care unit at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
This marked the 10th humidicrib donated by Kids West to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, meaning over $500,000 worth of vital equipment had been donated to the newborn care unit.
Kids West become song inspiration
In March 2010 Kids West held a cocktail party and concert with The Hon Nathan Rees, MP as MC. The Celtic Siren’s performed a special song titled ‘Children for the future’, specially written for Kids West.
Jenny King, Nurse Manager from the Centre for Newborn Care at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead gave a presentation on the special care of newborn babies and the equipment needed, some of which has been donated by Kids West over a number of years.
Bowled over again by community support
Kids West host its second barefoot bowls day at Parramatta RSL. $1,600 was raised to go towards a portable respiratory ventilator for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Kids West does time to raise $12,000
In April 2010 Kids West CEO Trevor Oldfield participated in the Parramatta PCYC Time 4 Kids fundraiser – placed behind bars until he could raise enough money to be released. Friends, colleagues and supporters of Kids West were able to meet his bail conditions and he was set free raising $12,000.
Kids West supporters have a ball
In August 2010 Kids West held its first Gala Ball at the Sebel Parramatta, raising just over $90,000. TV personality Melissa Doyle was the MC for the evening with former NSW Premier Nathan Rees a guest speaker. Pop star Paulini performed for Kids West supporters.
2011
… and they’re racing!
In February 2011 Kids West held its inaugural charity raceday, sponsored by Suncorp Bank. $15,000 was raised on the day to go towards more equipment for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Bowled over again by corporate support
In April 2011 Kids West hosted its third Barefoot Bowls fundraiser event at the Northmead Bowling Recreation and Sporting Club. The day raised $4,058 which was donated to Kids West by the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce.
2012
Easter treats for sick kids
In Easter of 2011 and 2012, working with the Novotel Parramatta Kids West donated 25kg of easter chocolate to Ronald McDonald house for distribution to children affected by cancer and their families.
2013
14km for Western Sydney kids
In August 2013 the EFS Strategic City2Surf team conquered the 14km Fun Run and raised $11,180 for Kids West. Funds went directly towards the next phase of the Shaken Baby Prevention Project with Count Charitable Foundation donating $5,000.
Fairy magic for Kids West
Kids West were the chosen charity for Creative Spirit Centre’s Annual Fairies & Fantasy Festival in Minchinbury, with $1,550 raised on the day.
2014
Making a difference for Mighty Max
A tiny baby was rushed into Westmead Children’s hospital where he spent 8 long days in ICU. After many months of struggle ‘Mighty Max’ improved to become a healthy baby thanks to time spent on the intensive care CPAP machine.
2015
Recongnition at Child Protection Awards
In February 2015 Kids West became a supporter of the first Child Protection and Wellbeing Awards, part of the Integrated Violence Prevention and Response Service of the Western Sydney Local Health District. Kids West received recondition for the support and have continued to fund the trophies awarded since 2015.
The gift of walking for Parthiv
Kids West were proud to present a special walker, valued at $7,000 to 8 year old Parthiv who has Cerebral Palsy. With the help of the Blacktown City Lions Club, this special Christmas gift was given to Parthiv’s family, giving him much needed independence.
A successful year for Kids West
In 2015 Kids West donated $66,674 to the local community. To top off the year, $70,000 in Christmas gifts were given to sick and disadvantaged children.
A highlight was delivering over 500 gifts to hospital wards, Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army and to individual families throughout Western Sydney, with partner Aptus Accounting wrapping 200 Christmas presents.
2016
Helping a family in need
Kids West lent a helping hand to Mum Irene and her family, who were struggling after the loss of one of their twins while managing the serious health issues of their baby boy Jamie – terrified of loosing him too. $1,745 was donated for the purchase of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, mask and Sleep Apnoea monitor hire.
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