In the spirit of giving and compassion, the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service team has again rallied together, spreading warmth and hope to children in need through their remarkable support of Hope in a Suitcase.
Since its inception in 2018, Hope in a Suitcase has been a beacon of care, extending its reach across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, and Tasmania, ensuring children entering foster care or out-of-home care are met with love and support.
Rachael Clancy, Founder of Hope in a Suitcase said, “A child will often enter foster care with only a plastic bag of belongings or less, and these bags are then dragged around with them to each placement, and sadly for many kids, they will move multiple times. These kids should be able to pack their lives into their very own suitcase with pride and a sense of hope. Hence the creation of ‘Hope in a Suitcase’.”
The aim is to provide children across Australia, entering foster care or out-of-home care, something to call their own. To send them a message that they are important and cared for by our community. To encourage self-care by providing new essential items such as a toothbrush, toiletries, hairbrush, underwear and sanitary items. A pair of pyjamas and a change of clothes. A teddy to cuddle. A journal or colouring in book and pencils to encourage creativity, and a toy to provide a distraction away from their turmoil.
Director of Nursing for Fraser Coast, Nikki Goodwin coordinates this program within the WBHHS community. “Following on from the success of the 2022 campaign, where we were able to donate around 35 suitcases, we have decided to run the same event this year,” she said.
Nikki was astonished at the response from her colleagues, with almost twice as many cases delivered this year. Visibly moved by the overwhelming support, Nikki said, "I’m feeling totally overwhelmed with pride at how giving our staff are."
Kathryn Rodda, Volunteer Coordinator of Hope in a Suitcase, alongside her husband Andrew, a dedicated nurse at WBHHS, and her son, collected the donations from the Fraser Coast team, filling three cars with nearly 70 suitcases.
"Words cannot describe how generous the staff from Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service have been this Christmas!" said Kathryn.
Stevie from the pathology team at Bundaberg Hospital said, “When we first received an email from Nikki about Hope in a Suitcase, we aimed to donate two suitcases. We started with a few items, some pjs and underwear. Then our amazing Lisa, who's a foster parent herself, was able to nearly complete two suitcases just from the things she had stocked at home. It sparked a fire in the rest of us to see how many suitcases we'd be able to complete. By the collection date, we've just finished our ninth suitcase!”
The dedication doesn't stop there. More contributions are pouring in, with plans to collect even more suitcases from the Bundaberg region.
The collective efforts of the WBHHS teams stand as a testament to the power of kindness and community spirit. Every donation, no matter how small, has played a significant role in conveying love and support to children during what can be a daunting and challenging period in their lives.
This has been a wonderful opportunity to share the true essence of giving this season and to make a profound impact on the lives of children in need.