There’s no doubt about it. The Kogarah Fair and Charity Bed Race – to be held on
Saturday 29 August – is enormous fun for participants and spectators alike.
But there is a serious side to all of the colour, pizzazz and action … the event is
a major fundraiser for the purchase of medical equipment for St George Hospital.
The event, co-hosted by Kogarah Council and The Lamrock Committee, has been running
since 1992 and has raised funds for the purchase of many pieces of vital medical
equipment and patient amenities for the Hospital.
Kogarah Council and The Lamrock Committee are this year hoping to raise $25,000 for
the purchase of a number of items including a bronchoscope for the Operating Theatres
and an ECG Machine for the Neurology Ward.
General Manager St George and Sutherland Hospitals, Cath Whitehurst said the bronchoscope
will allow examination and management of a patient’s airway in anaesthesia where difficulties
exist with other means.
“The bronchoscope is a flexible telescope that enables safer anaesthesia and may
even be life saving,” Ms Whitehurst said.
“Patients on the Neurology Ward will benefit from a sophisticated ECG machine,
which is used to measure the electrical activity of the heart.
“Many strokes are caused by clots arising from hearts beating with abnormal
rhythms, and the EEG machine will help to detect and document this crucial information.
This will help with the optimisation of patient treatment,” she said.
Mayor of the City of Kogarah, Councillor Nickolas Varvaris said the Bed Race is a
celebration of the beginning of Spring, being in good health and the great community
spirit which thrives in Kogarah City.
“It’s great that year after year, we can come together as a community and keep making
a difference in areas that greatly need our help,” Cr Varvaris said.
The action for this year’s event will kick off at 10am with the traditional bed parade
and marching bands.
If you would like further information or would like to participate in the
Kogarah Fair and Charity Bed Race please contact Mrs Ros Comino on 9529 6508,
or Kogarah City Council Event Co-ordinator, Jacinta Sunderland on 9330 9424,
or visit
www.kogarah.nsw.gov.au.
Media enquiries: Maxine Brennan, 9113 2601 or 0413 028 776.
