Celebrity ‘Doc’ Dr Peter Larkins is returned to where his career began, to help launch the 2010 Geelong Hospital Appeal to raise funds for the re-development of the Geelong Hospital Children’s Ward.

The 2010 Geelong Hospital Appeal was officially launched on Wednesday 17th February by the Barwon Health Foundation with ‘Louie’s Launch’ at the Gordon Gallery where Dr Peter Larkins appeared as guest speaker. 

       

Best known for his appearances on both Triple M radio and Channel Nine’s the Footy Show and Sunday Footy Show, not many people realise that “The Doc” began both his life and his medical career at the Geelong Hospital and has also been part of the Geelong Football Club’s medical team. This connection makes the re-development of the children’s ward at Geelong Hospital a cause close to his heart,

“As a born and bred Geelong boy I am honoured to be able to support the 2010 Geelong Hospital Appeal. I was born in the old Baxter House and completed part of my medical school training at the hospital. I am passionate about children’s health and am very pleased to assist in promoting this effort to improve facilities for the Childrens Ward here.”

The appeal runs annually each year and encourages the local community to dig deep and give generously to raise funds for the vital services provided by Barwon Health which provides essential healthcare to more than 450,000 people in Geelong and South Western Victoria.

In 2009-10 The Geelong Hospital Appeal will raise funds to support the Redevelopment of the Children's Ward.

This exciting multi-million dollar project is a community partnership with Barwon Health to improve patient care and facilities for children and their families in our region. The redevelopment will commence in early January and to ensure minimal disruption to service delivery in the children's ward it will be staged over a 4 to 5 year period.

The North wing will be the first stage to be completed and will result in a new High Dependency room that will provide 24hr care for the sickest children, ensuites into rooms with improved facilities, new electric hi-lo beds and various pieces of medical equipment. Once completed, all rooms, except the day stay, will include ensuites, the playground and play room will have been upgraded and there will be a new oncology room to service children in their own environment within the Ward.

‘Louie’s Launch’ also launched the face of the 2010 Geelong Hospital Appeal, young Louie Hehir.

10 year old Louie Hehir has had a tough start to life after being born with chronic renal failure. In 2005 Louie had a kidney transplant from a living donor, his maternal Grandmother.

Like most kids with an ongoing medical condition Louie regularly visits the Geelong Hospital Children's Ward which has helped Louie throughout his life. In 2010 Louie and his family are lending their story to help raise funds for Geelong Hospital Appeal. The focus of the appeal will be to raise funds for the re-development that will help many children in the region just like Louie.

Executive Director of the Barwon Health Foundation, Gavin Seidel, hopes that the launch inspired the local community to support the appeal and pledge their donations locally to make a real difference to children in their own region.

“Supporting the appeal can be done in many ways from fundraising in your own group or business, donating to the appeal, volunteering or attending Barwon Health Foundation events.”

Donations can be made at the Bendigo Bank or by contacting the Barwon Health Foundation on Ph: 03 5260 3355.