In a huge effort to raise awareness and much needed funds for the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Gosford Hospital, Craig and Mandy from the Star104.5 Breakfast Show have just completed their first ever 24-hour live broadcast from McDonalds at West Gosford raising more than $90,000.
All money raised throughout the radio-thon will go towards the ongoing running costs of the Family Room, to continue assisting families with sick kids on the Central Coast.
Craig and Mandy were joined by a host of special guests throughout the radio-thon, including MasterChef Australia winner Julie Goodwin, country music star Gina Jeffreys and Kyle and Kara from The Block, as they generated a ground swell of community support for the Family Room and the very special service it provides to families on the Central Coast whose children may be in hospital.
Mandy, one half of the Star104.5 breakfast duo said, “We have wanted to do a something like this for a long time, but the right opportunity had never come up. When we heard about the Family Room and the need to raise money to help with the associated costs of running the room we knew that this was the perfect chance to go live for 24-hours for an amazing cause – I can now tick that off my bucket list.”
Talking about the experience, as he came off air this morning Craig said, “Wow! That was so emotional. Seeing the community come down here, meeting families who have used the room and hearing about how it helped them was incredible. Then, this morning when we announced the final tally, I was blown away at just how kind and generous Coasties are. We raised $90,000 – I am speechless… and after 24-hours talking on air, that’s saying something.”
Ross Bingham, Chief Executive Officer, Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW said, “I am overwhelmed at the result of the radio-thon. The Family Room is the only facility of its type on the Central Coast and provides a haven for children who need special care, where they can play, watch DVDs or just spend time with their family, forgetting for a brief time the reality of their situation.
“It is such a humbling experience, as a local charity that relies heavily on volunteers and donations from the community to continue supporting families on the Central Coast with sick kids, to see just how generous people are. We are so very thankful to everyone who came down and pledged their donations over the radio-thon.”
Ron Mussalli, McDonalds Licensee Central Coast, said, “The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Gosford Hospital sees approximately 650 guests pass through its doors each month, and today thanks to the community digging deep over the radio-thon, the volunteers and team in the Family Room will have additional resources to continue helping families when they need it most.”
Check out all the action here:
