By: Alsu Kurlow
Source: MuslimVillage
On Sunday the 29th of September 2019, Human Appeal Australia & Sydney Muslim Cyclists held a community event including a charity ride followed by a free sausage sizzle at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital. The event aimed at raising funds for the Birthing unit at the hospital as a part of a designated campaign organised by Human Appeal Australia to raise the required funds.
The charity ride started at 6.00 am from the Hospital with approximately 80 cyclists joined by Mr Jihad Dib, MP; Clr. Bilal El-Hayek, Deputy Mayor of the City of Canterbury Bankstown. The event was attended by the hospital’s management and staff; Peter Rophail, the Hospital General Manager and Dr Karen Harris, Head of Obstetrics Department and Nursing Manager and Ronia Awick Birthing Unit Manager.
The Birth and Babies Appeal were launched earlier this month to provide Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital with a much- needed Ultrasound and Telemetry Machine which will be used in the Birthing Unit to enhance the services provided.
“It is such an important initiative to support the Birthing unit at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, I’m happy to be part of it,” Jihad Dib, MP said.
The new Deputy Mayor of Canterbury-Bankstown had a special reason for signing up for the challenge.
“I jumped at the chance to be involved because all the money raised will go to the birthing unit at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital,” Councillor El-Hayek said.
“Eight years ago, my wife and I lost a child that was born at the hospital. While the staff were great, it was obvious that they were working in tiring conditions, using ageing facilities which were not up to date. That’s why it’s so important, that the NSW Government delivers on its promise to build a new $1.3 billion hospital in Bankstown. In the meantime, the money raised in our charity ride will be used to purchase an ultrasound equipment and a telemetry machine for the birthing unit. I encourage residents to support our ride and give generously”.
The raised funds will help the Birthing Unit to provide a better service to the wider community. This will not only affect expectant mothers and their babies, but future generations to come. The campaign will conclude with a much anticipated Family Fun Day that will gather the local community on the 19th of October at the Australian National Sports Club in Parry Park for the support of the hospital. Human Appel Australia would like to thank all involved and reaching out to our community to donate generously to help us reach the goal of $75,000 to support the hospital.
Donations can be made at https://www.humanappeal.org.au/campaign/birth-and-babies-appeal-bankstown-lidcombe-hospital/