I had a “that’s why I’m in advertising” moment this week. It was a moment that made me feel that I could make a difference and use my powers for good over evil.

One of the clients that we do pro bono work for is Children’s Hospital Foundation Australia. The foundation is a partnership between the five major children’s hospitals in Australia. They do great work in conducting research, providing new equipment and making children’s stay in hospital a little more enjoyable. They are amazing people who do amazing work.

So when Kevin Rudd said he was giving all Australians $900 (initially $950… grrr) to boost the economy I saw the opportunity for Australians to increase their charitable givings. $900 is a decent chunk of money and it isn’t too much to ask for people to donate $50 or $100 of this to people who are requiring even greater assistance than themselves.

So, with the help of the team at Children’s Hospital Foundation Australia and Working Wonders at the Royal Brisbane Hospital we grabbed a video camera and went through the children’s ward asking the sick children…

“What Would You Do With $900?”

What amazed me was the strength and the positivity of these kids. Some had drips upon drips, been in hospital for months and could not even interact with other kids as they were at a very delicate stage in their treatment. Yet they were all imaginative and vibrant – there were no feelings of self pity or detachment regardless of how sick they are.

There was one girl who was particularly moving. She was in the latter stages of chemo and about to spend some time at home. When asked what she would buy with her $900 she replied that she would buy “petrol for the car so that her family could drive around and go to the movies and stuff that we haven’t been able to do”. Purely selfless.

So, if you are in a situation where you can donate a portion of your cash bonus please consider the Children’s Hospital Foundations Australia – they do a great job in helping kids who require a far greater amount of assistance than us.

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