City firefighters started raising money for the hospital’s burns unit in 2009. In 2012, they decided to expand on the initiative, with most of the funds raised at the annual firefighters ball. The funds come from ticket sales and a donations from the Llandudno Community.
‘Our firefighters are on the frontlines daily, saving lives. As first responders, they see how young lives are impacted by the havoc and aftermath of fires. Our men and women in uniform are not only willing to put their lives on the line, but their passion goes beyond the job. This annual initiative shows their hearts and calling and I commend them for that,’ said Alderman JP Smith, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
The project is spearheaded by Assistant Chief: District West, Arlene Wehr and Station Commander Mark Adams of the Training Academy.
The burns service at the Red Cross Children’s War Memorial Hospital is one of the busiest services in the hospital, with children and their families traveling long distances to get to the hospital.
Burns are the third leading cause of injury-related deaths in children. The hospital’s specialised burns ward admits 800 to 1 000 children every year. There is also an additional 4 000 to 5 000 outpatient contact visits every year.
‘Children from remote areas move from multiple health facilities with some having extended waiting time on ambulances before accessing the specialised care they urgently require at the Red Cross Children’s War Memorial Hospital. This not only delays crucial treatment, heightening infection risks and prolonging recovery periods, but also places undue strain on families already grappling with immense challenges. With the Burns Project, we want to strengthen burns services for children in the Western Cape to ensure earlier intervention, improve overall outcomes, and reduce the burden on families who do not reside near Cape Town. We are grateful to donors such as the City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Services for believing and supporting our cause,’ said the Chief Executive Officer of the Children’s Hospital Trust, Chantel Cooper.
The City’s Mayoral fund further supported the Red Cross Hospital with an overall amount of R750 000 last year.
