A Kingaroy boy’s story has inspired a massive fundraising effort to provide more than $30,000 worth of new paediatric equipment for the Kingaroy Hospital.
Hughie Gray was just two-years-old when he was having trouble breathing and was rushed to the Kingaroy Hospital in 2023.
During his hospital stay, the two-year-old boy needed crucial medical equipment.
However, his mother Aleisha Gray shared that, as there was more than one child needing the same paediatric equipment, the crucial equipment was moved between patients’ rooms.
“I was extremely concerned a child would not be able to access the care they need when they needed it most,” she said.
Since then, Hughie’s parents Aleisha and Mitch Gray have set out to raise crucial funds for new equipment for children and babies at the Kingaroy Hospital.
During a Christmas 2023 appeal, the couple pledged to match donations of up to $5000 through their businesses AMG Electrical and South Burnett Hire and Sales.
The South Burnett community rallied behind them and raised a staggering $23,725, in addition to the $5000 donated by Mitch and Aleisha.
Hughie’s story inspired futher fundraising efforts from the Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary and another local family to raise a total of $31,600.
As a result, the Kingaroy Hospital is now equipped with four new oximeters, two humidifiers and an emergency department paediatric trolley for babies and children.
The Gray family were delighted with this result and are pleased that this equipment will be available to other children and babies in the region.
Hughie and his family recently visited Kingaroy Hospital to see the new equipment.
Kingaroy’s Women’s and Children’s Department Nuse Unit Manager, Karlie, explained to Hughie and his brothers how the oximeters monitor oxygen levels of patients and humidifiers help patients to breathe easier by adding moisture to the air.
“We are pleased we now have oximeters in each room in the children’s ward,” Karlie said.
“Hospital staff will be able to provide better and more timely health care to local babies and children.”
