Two young Mount Isa brothers living with complex care needs are now the local faces of Woolworths, as part of their Easter Fundraising Appeal, which is raising funds for Mount Isa Base Hospital.
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Malcolm & Raymond are identical twins who were born premature at 29 weeks and had a very rocky start to life.
After requiring resuscitation at birth, they became ill at just one week old. They were soon taken into surgery due to twisted bowels, and surgeons had to remove 50 per cent of both their bowels.
Following surgery, both the boys contracted multiple infections, and were put on life support in intensive care. To this day, surgeons are unaware as to why both boys were born with the condition.
The boys have both been admitted at Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane for the past eight months, fighting for their lives as their treatment continues, with further surgeries required to assist their bowel and gut function.
Their mum, Tracey, says they can't wait to get back to Mount Isa, to start life at home as a family.
"I'll be so happy to see the end of this journey and get back to life away from the hospital. I'm scared of what's to come, but the boys are meeting their milestones, growing and becoming more interactive, and nothing beats the feeling when they make eye contact," Tracey says.
Malcolm, Raymond and their family are now sharing their story as the official Mount Isa ambassadors of Woolworths Easter Fundraising Appeal, to encourage locals to donate to the cause and support the Children's Hospital Foundation.
Since 2016, Mount Isa Woolworths customers have raised more nearly $13,000 for Mount Isa Base Hospital through the annual Appeal.
Children's Hospital Foundation CEO, Rosie Simpson, said that it's thanks to the Woolworths teams and their customers generosity that the Foundation can help Queensland's sickest kids.
"Money raised through this campaign enables us to fund vital medical research, life-saving medical equipment, and patient and family-support services at the Mt Isa Base Hospital for sick kids and their families," Ms Simpson said.
"It's amazing what a community can do when they come together, and a simple $2 donation during a shop in-store or online at Woolworths can make the most incredible, resounding impact on a family who are going through an incredibly tough time, or a kid who is facing the fight for their life."
Chris Peters, Woolworths General Manager Queensland said: "We continue to be humbled by the kindness and ongoing support of our Queensland customers and the impact their donations can have on initiatives such as the Children's Hospital Foundation.
"The Easter Fundraising Appeal is a great example of how a little good can go a long way for those who need it most and make a real difference to the lives of hundreds of kids and their families, just like Bella."
Customers can support the Easter Fundraising Appeal by simply adding a $2 Easter egg shaped wall token to their shop, or make a donation in-store or online, from March 17 to April 6, 2021.
To learn more about Children's Hospital Foundation, visit www.childrens.org.au
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