Rotary gifts Xbox to children’s hospital In association with an NGO Heroes in Hospitals, the Rotary club donated three new Xbox consoles with select games which will engage sick children with entertainment.
Superheroes laden with gifts made a special trip to the children’s ward of the North West Regional Hospital this weekend.
The trip was organised by volunteer group Heroes in Hospitals and the Rotary Club of Burnie (Tasmania, Australia – D 9830), which donated three new Xbox One consoles to the ward.
Harvey Norman also donated a selection of Xbox games including Halo, Minecraft, Assassin’s Creed and Forza
Former Rotary Club of Burnie president Nigel Morgan said the $1400 donation aligned with the mission of the club.
“We’re here to help the community and it’s good to help the kids up in the hospital when they’re sick,” Morgan said.
“It (the new game consoles) will take their mind off being sick or their forthcoming operation. Even if it’s just for a couple of games.”
Heroes in Hospitals is a Tasmanian based group that visits sick children and their families while dressed as superheroes and cartoon characters.
Gregor Viney has been involved with Heroes in Hospitals for about two years and said the group’s visits helped lift the spirits of sick children.
“They’re really happy just to see people come and visit,” Viney said.
“A lot of them get a big smile on their face when we arrive.”
Viney hoped the new Xbox systems would stop children in the hospital from getting bored.
“This will obviously keep them a bit more entertained. Happy kids are better kids,” Viney said.
The Xbox donation was one of the last initiatives Morgan helped organise before he stood down as Rotary Club of Burnie president.
John Glen recently took up leadership of the club after a stint as president about a decade ago.
Glen said he wanted to raise the profile of the Rotary Club of Burnie during his time as president.
He also hoped to modernise the club.
“We’ve got to drop that image of the past and be more people of action in the community,” Glen said.
The modernisation effort would include internal changes such as a new board structure, more use of technology such as social media and a “proactive approach” to increasing membership.
“We’re going to change the internal running of the club in line with Rotary International’s new programmes,” Glen said
The Rotary Club of Burnie meets every Monday night at the Burnie RSL on Alexander Street.
Source: The Advocate
