PatCH named Brumbies No.1 ticket holder for 2006

Paediatrics at the Canberra Hospital (PatCH) was today presented with the No.1 CA Brumbies season ticket for the 2006 season.

Unlike years gone by, where sporting celebrities and prominent Canberra identities have received the No.1 ticket, this year it was decided to give the rights to a special group of people; the sick children in PatCH.

CA Brumbies and Wallabies stars George Gregan and George Smith presented the giant No.1 ticket to Director of PatCH, Graham Reynolds, at the launch in the PatCH playroom this afternoon.

As No.1 ticket holder, PatCH will receive premium season passes and tickets for staff, children and their families to attend Brumbies matches throughout the season.

The ward will be decorated in Brumbies colours, while Brumbies players and popular mascot Brumby Jack will also make regular visits to help bring some much needed cheer to the sick children.

The Brumbies hope to raise over $100,000 for PatCH through various fundraising projects throughout the season.

The fundraising projects will be aimed at purchasing vital equipment for the ward, including blood oxygen monitors, sphygmomanometers (for safely and accurately measuring blood pressure) and high dependency care monitors.

?I am very happy to be associated with the Brumbies and having PatCH as the Number One ticket holder for this Super 14 season. The funds raised throughout the season will be a great benefit to PatCH and the patients we care for,? said Professor Reynolds.

In the past year PatCH has treated approximately 3,000 children as inpatients, 1500 children through day stay and has 20 outpatients clinics.

The ward is staffed by incredibly dedicated and fun-loving nurses, physiotherapists, nutritionists, occupational therapists, social workers, and many more who understand the complex needs of children of all ages.

PatCH caters for children from birth through to eighteen years of age, and in addition to medical and surgical problems, treats a range of mental health disorders such as anorexia and depression.

There are two school rooms in the ward, one for Primary School age children and another for High School age and above. The school rooms are equipped with computers and are staffed by qualified teachers.

The ward also has a certified play therapist that runs the playroom and assists in the care of children by providing diversional and play therapy during painful medical procedures.

?In the past we have used our number one ticket as more of a promotional tool but this season we have re-aligned our strategy and will use it to provide assistance to a very worthy recipient in PatCH,? said Brumbies Rugby CEO Andrew Fagan.

?It?s a cause that is very close to us at the Brumbies. A number of our players have young families and are raising children, so they can relate to the sacrifices that are made and the hardships that families with sick children go through,? he added.

?Our aim is to raise enough money to buy much-needed medical equipment and also to raise awareness of child health through our profile in the community.?