Hobart’s Heart 107.3 has celebrated a milestone year of its annual charity initiative, Give Me 5 for Kids (GM54K), by raising a record-breaking total of $466,222 in 2014 to support the Royal Hobart Hospital Children’s Ward.

The tally is a new high for the dedicated team at Heart 107.3, including Breakfast hosts Kim Napier and David Noonan, and the passionate local community of Southern Tasmania.

Last year, Heart 107.3 raised over $255,000 with Give Me 5 for Kids. This year, that amount was almost topped by just one of its fundraising initiatives alone, ‘House with Heart’. A joint project with Lyden Builders to raise money for both the Royal Hobart Hospital Children’s Ward and Diabetes Tasmania, House with Heart saw a three-bedroom family home designed and constructed in Glebe Hill.

Additional fundraising activity for Heart 107.3’s Give Me 5 for Kids included a Gala Ball held at Wrest Point, Western and Eastern Shore Wheelie Bin Walks, and the Qantas ‘Flight with Heart’ as well as several events held at Sorrell RSL. Funds raised this year will enable the Royal Hobart Hospital Children’s Ward to purchase specialised paediatric equipment and provide support for the families of unwell children when they need it most.

Southern Cross Austereo Hobart General Manager Damon Wise said: “We are very appreciative of the massive support our fundraising efforts have generated in the Tasmanian community. The passion of Kim and Dave and our whole team plays a key role in the success of Give Me 5 For Kids each year. There is no better feeling than raising money for the purchase of equipment for the amazing team at the Royal Hobart Hospital, to care for our sick children.”

Heart 107.3’s involvement in Give Me 5 for Kids is part of parent company Southern Cross Austereo’s campaign, which launched in the mid 90s as a simple coin drive. Since then, the appeal has raised more than $12 million for over 40 children’s hospital wards across the country.