LJ Hooker Cessnock and Kurri Kurri’s latest fundraising initiative plans to reduce litter across the community while raising money for life-saving hospital equipment.
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Local residents can donate their empty bottles and cans, which will be cashed in via the Return and Earn container deposit scheme, with the full refund supporting Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Hospitals (through the Humpty Dumpty Foundation).
The funds will go towards buying a an EZ-IO drill and education kit (worth $1,895) for Cessnock District Hospital, and a Rad-5 pulse oximeter with sensor for Kurri Kurri District Hospital.
Both are essential pieces of equipment in caring for critically-ill children and babies.
The EZ-IO kit is used to gain vascular access when intravenous access cannot be established, while the Rad-5 allows nurses to record arterial oxygen levels accurately and efficiently and quickly track any changes.
LJ Hooker Cessnock and Kurri Kurri principal Bryce Gibson said the office will need to collect about 40,000 containers to achieve its goal.
Mr Gibson is encouraging the community to donate their empty containers to the office at 84 Vincent Street, Cessnock.
Materials that may be eligible for a refund include plastic bottles (except for plain milk containers and flavoured milk of one litre or more, pure fruit or vegetable juice containers of one litre or more, cordial and concentrated fruit or vegetable juice), glass (excluding wine or spirits), aluminium, steel and liquid paperboard (cartons).
The LJ Hooker team will then deposit the drink containers at a local collection point and put the full refund towards hitting their target.
“As a family with two little ones, my wife Mellissa and I know how important it is to have local hospitals stocked with the right equipment to help our sick children,” Mr Gibson said.
“That’s why when the LJ Hooker Foundation partnered with the Humpty Dumpty Foundation we were keen to help any way we could.
“The initiative is designed to raise money for this much-needed equipment while at the same time help clean up our streets.”
This is the latest in a long line of fundraising initiatives by LJ Hooker Cessnock, which has supported causes including breast cancer, domestic violence and homelessness in recent years.
Mr Gibson was presented with an appreciation award at Cessnock’s Australia Day ceremony this year in recognition of his support for these initiatives, and for donating his time as a charity auctioneer and MC at many community events.
