The Auxiliary raises money through raffles, $100 boards, and the annual Mount Isa Hospital Ball to buy extra equipment and furniture for Mount Isa Hospital.

This year they have donated children’s play equipment as well as medical training equipment, sofabeds for parents staying with their children, cots and a paediatric wheelchair to the Children’s Ward.

They have supplied resources for the Occupational Therapy Paediatric Unit, furniture for the Dementia Living Room in the Medical Ward, and furniture and art work for the Cancer Care Unit.

The North West Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive, Lisa Davies Jones, said the work of the Auxiliary was invaluable and much appreciated by both staff and patients.

“With tight budget restraints on all HHSs, we certainly appreciate the extras the Auxiliary supplies for the comfort of our patients and help to our staff.

“The furniture for the Dementia Living Room makes such a difference to our patients with dementia. They can re-learn how to set a table; they can sit there and watch television in comfort, and it just normalises life in hospital for them a little, which helps with their progress.”

Sue Ryan, the Nurse Unit Manager of the Children’s Ward, said the extra play equipment for the children, and the medical equipment for staff has helped both children and staff.

“It’s wonderful for the children to have brightly coloured, safe, hygienic equipment to play on in our outside playground. It takes the children away from their beds, and the ward and gives them a chance to just be children as they play in a safe environment.”

In a final burst before Christmas, the Auxiliary is selling raffle tickets in the Hospital foyer every Friday from 10am to 1pm for a large Christmas hamper.

Locals are welcome to donate items to the hamper, and can drop them off at the Hospital reception. Raffle tickets cost $2 and is drawn on December 16.