Regular Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation volunteer Luke has given giant high-fives, auctioned cherries and ridden on a fire truck with Father Christmas.
For over two years Luke has found time outside of his full time job and other commitments to volunteer with Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation by regularly bringing Stitches Bear, our cuddly mascot, to life.
We recently spoke with Luke to learn a little more about what being a Stitches volunteer is like and how he makes a difference to the lives of others.
Q. How and why did you first become involved as a volunteer for Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation?
A. A colleague of mine was looking on the list of opportunities on the Volunteering WA website, saw that PMH Foundation was looking for more people to bring Stitches to life and thought I might enjoy doing it. Which, as it turns out, I do!
Q. What activities or events have you been a part of as a volunteer?
A. As a Stitches volunteer I’ve attended regular barbecues and ward visits, the Cherry Auction at Market City Canningvale, shopping centre stalls, Acton Funcats events, Christmas Lights, a Halloween fundraiser, a charity treasure hunt, a car wash with the Sugar Blue Burlesque performers at Fast Eddy’s and a visit to a primary school with the CEO of Kidsafe WA.
I’ve also helped out (as myself!) at Abseil for Perth Children’s Hospital in 2013 and at a Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation fundraising stall at the Royal Show.
Q. What is the best part about volunteering for Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation?
A. The best part is definitely brightening the day of kids and their parents when they see Stitches. Some kids seem to take great comfort in spending a bit of time playing with or just giving a high five to their favourite oversized teddy bear.
Q.What is your favourite Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation volunteering memory?
A. My favourite memory is when I got to ride in an old-fashioned fire engine with Father Christmas and his elves for two Christmas Lights for Perth Children’s Hospital events in 2014 and 2015. Stitches was mobbed by countless children who were just as excited to see him as they were Father Christmas!
Q. If you could be any fictional character who would you be?
A. When I was a kid I wished I could jump through the spines of books and experience life in those worlds just like the claymation character, Gumby. He also had a talking orange pony as a sidekick, so that’s a bonus.
Q. And, if you won the lotto what is the first thing you would do?
A. I have already won the lotto – I was born with good health towards the end of the 20th Century in a first world country. The odds against that happening are astronomical. How lucky am I? So, to answer your question, I’m going to keep smiling, working and volunteering.
From all the staff at the PMH Foundation we would love to say a huge thank you to Luke for his continuing efforts to brighten the days of those around him!
If you want to get involved like Luke, apply today!
