Latest news with #RadioLollipop
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Charity calls for volunteers to bring joy to children in hospital
A children's charity is calling for more volunteers to help brighten young lives in hospital. Radio Lollipop offers play sessions and entertainment to children at Southampton General Hospital. The organisation currently has just 13 volunteers and needs to raise that number to more than 20 to keep its service going. The charity has launched a nationwide campaign, "Donate the Joy," encouraging people to get involved through a summer recruitment drive. Tina Jones, trustee at Radio Lollipop Southampton, said: "Our existing volunteers are brilliant, but we need more. "I would really encourage people to come forward and give it a go. "We are a friendly, supportive team – and the smiles on the children's faces will make it all worthwhile." The campaign, run in partnership with outdoor advertising company JCDecaux, features billboards across the country highlighting the impact of Radio Lollipop's work. READ MORE: GP to lead Hampshire charity helping people live healthier lives In Hampshire, posters can be found at Millbrook Road West and Wyndham Place in Southampton, as well as several locations in Portsmouth. The charity has supported children in Southampton for 31 years, offering colour, creativity, and comfort to young patients during challenging times. Volunteers visit children's wards two evenings a week, armed with puzzles, games, colouring competitions, and crafts to engage and entertain. The sessions, held from 6pm to 8pm on Mondays and Thursdays, aim to bring normality, laughter, and distraction to children during their hospital stay. Radio Lollipop says it urgently needs more volunteers to ensure both evenings remain fully staffed. For more information or to apply, visit Anyone interested in volunteering must be at least 18 years old and able to pass the required background checks for working with children. Full training is provided, and volunteers must commit to at least two-and-a-half hours one evening per week, for ten out of 13 sessions. To help raise awareness, the charity is encouraging people to find a #DonatingTheJoy billboard, take a selfie, and share it on social media to inspire others to get involved.
West Australian
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
AC Milan players visit Perth Children's Hospital ahead of Thursday nights clash against Perth Glory
There were hugs, high-fives and heartwarming smiles at Perth Children's Hospital on Monday as some of the world's biggest football stars traded in their boots for an afternoon of signing scarves and sharing stories. Italian football giants AC Milan, back in WA for a blockbuster clash with Perth Glory on Thursday, made a surprise stop at the hospital to lift the spirits of some of the State's bravest young patients. They also paid a visit to Telethon beneficiaries including Radio Lollipop, Starlight Children's Foundation and the Kids Cancer Support Group. Among the high-profile visitors were legendary players Samuele Ricci, Yunus Musah, Matteo Gabbia and Filippo Terracciano. Former AC Milan player Zeljko Kalac, who represented Australia on the international stage for over a decade as a Socceroo, also stopped by. Aspiring soccer player Tyler Stewart, 10, was over the moon after meeting the football stars and told The West Australian he would treasure the moment forever. 'This hand, I'm never going to wash it again . . . because I got all the high-fives on this hand,' he said. 'At first I felt shy, but then I just opened up my shell. I think they're my favourite team now . . . my favourite team before was Manchester City.' Tyler has had 12 surgeries on his legs — with number 13 looming — since being struck by a taxi while on holiday in New York on Christmas day. But he said it is all worth it after meeting the superstars today. 'I can't wait to tell my friends at school,' he said. For 11-year-old Mathew Scojceski — a lifelong AC Milan fan and childhood cancer survivor — the moment was something he'd dreamed of. '(I feel) special, like that I actually got to speak to them one-on-one and meet them in person. They were very cool and friendly, and they made me feel welcomed,' he said after chatting to Terracciano. Mathew, who underwent major spinal surgery in March, didn't hesitate to tip the scoreline for Thursday's match. 'I think it will be three-nil to AC Milan . . . AC Milan all the way,' he said. For Kalac — who spent five years at the storied club — he said making kids' faces light up is part of the job. 'Watching everything (AC Milan) do for kids and for charities, it's just a great, great club,' he said. 'For these guys that are professionals to come out, and no one complains about coming out doing all this, they really come out, because of what these kids are going through... they know they need to be there and support them and give them that energy and that inspiration. 'That's part of being a footballer . . . bringing so much joy to people's faces.' Musah, who first visited Perth with the team 18 months ago, said it was great to be back in town with some of WA's toughest little soldiers. 'It's been great coming back . . . it's a country where everyone welcomes us really well, and it's just a beautiful city,' he said. 'It's just nice getting to see how people are going through things in their life, and see how they're recovering and stuff and it's nice to be someone that can inspire them to heal. 'I know that when I was younger, I would have loved the same so it's nice to have that impact now.' Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said he thinks kids like Mathew and Tyler could teach the all-stars a thing or two about strength. 'These guys are some of the best players in the world — champions — and they've taken the time to talk to kids here at the hospital,' he said. 'The courage these kids show, the challenges they face... it's remarkable. They could probably teach these players a thing or two about how to play the game.' Thursday night's match at HBF Park marks AC Milan's second visit to Perth in as many years, after last year's game against Roma drew thousands to Optus Stadium.
