Our CEO & Founder, Tim Conolan, is an Australian of the Year Local Hero Vic Finalist 2014.
For more information about this award, please visit the Australian of the Year Awards website.
children’s charity
Oliver loves his Elmo!
A lovely note sent to us by Oliver’s mum, Renee…
“Oliver has recently been diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Kabuki Syndrome. He has spent a lot of time in and out of the Royal Children’s Hospital and has therapy most days. He has Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy and Speech therapy every week. Oliver works hard in all of his therapy sessions to help him develop and do things that ‘normal’ babies do with ease. TLC for Kids sent Oliver some of his favourite things (books) and a special toy that is easier for him to operate (an Elmo switch toy). The ‘switch’ on this toy is a big button that is easier for Oliver to locate and press which helps him to learn about ‘cause and effect’. His face lit up when he discovered all his new books and he babbles away when Elmo sings to him. He loves trying to sing back. Thank you so much for your gift.” – Renee, May 2013.
You have the power to help kids and bubs just like Oliver. Register for Tracky Dack Day by clicking the banner below, and you’ll be making a real difference to a child doing it tough in hospital.
Small gesture, big impact
2 year old Maximus has a very rare and undiagnosed illness that causes significant weight gain.
As a result, Max no longer fits into children’s nappies, and the only ones he fits into are specialised adult pullups, and the expense amounts to $50 every couple of days! This is a lot for the family to afford on top of his medical expenses.
Max’s nurses called on TLC for kids to provide a stock of the special pull ups to help with the financial pressure. Max’s mum sent us this lovely message:
“Dear Deb and TLC for kids team,
We were so thrilled to receive the nappies and lovely toys which lit up our home with joy and laughter. It’s an ongoing struggle having a sick child in the family, when a knock at the door can give relief and reminds us people do care and do what they can, this means more than words can say. Thank you so, so much.
We’ve attached a pic of Maximus with his brother Jacob.
Warmest wishes,
Yael, Edan, Jacob and Maximus XO”
Our latest video!
Introducing… our new video! We would love to hear what you think of it in the comments below!
TLC for kids x
Bringing Bertie some Calm
At just 4 months old, Albert (or Bertie to his family), should be experiencing life just as other babies do – seeing the world for the first time without any stresses or complications. Beautiful little Bertie unfortunately has to deal with a condition called Cerebral Irritability, making it extremely difficult for him to settle. Mum (Felicity) has been doing such an amazing job, giving Bertie her absolute and undivided attention since day 1 – it’s a full time job. Bertie is only able to settle in her arms. You can only begin to think how emotionally exhausting this would be for Felicity and the family.
Bertie’s medical team contacted TLC for kids to see if we could do anything to help ease the pressure on mum and create more calm for the family. The anguish that can be caused by your newborn child being unable to settle (on top of medical challenges and uncertainties) can just about break you. And all you need is for someone to care enough to reach out and offer a solution.
This is TLC for kids’ specialty – bringing calm to stressful situations. We got straight onto the task of sourcing something that would take over from Felicity’s job of constant rocking of Bertie. We found a purpose-designed baby rocker complete with soothing music to help settle him and keep him occupied. We also included some special toys for Berties big brother, Reuben, who has been Bertie’s best friend and support since he was born. It is so important that siblings feel part of what’s going on, and our role often covers this area.
We were so pleased to hear about the difference this made to the family…
Dear TLC for kids,
Our little Bertie was recently in the Royal Children’s for the 2nd time undergoing further testing for rare neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders. During this time of turmoil and chaos in our lives it was just so overwhelming to receive such generosity and kindness from you. You provided us with a baby swing to help nurse Albert during his unhappy times and a swag of wonderful toys for Reuben our three year old to enjoy.
I can’t tell you how touched were by this gesture and overwhelmed by your kindness. For the first time in months Reuben felt special and learnt to attribute fun to hospital. It has been hard on him too.
We are eternally grateful. Thank you for making us smile :).
Our warmest regards, Felicity, Richard, Reuben and Albert Wilton
Amelia, one year on
Amelia is a beautiful 6 year old girl who was involved in an accident resulting in serious burns to her body. She was in a critical state in hospital and in a lot of pain. You can imagine this was extremely distressing not only for Amelia but also for her family, feeling helpless to take away her pain.
Many dressing changes later, Amelia’s recovery process began and the family was able to start planning for her return home, but there was one problem preventing her from leaving hospital. Unfortunately there was no air conditioning in the home which would make it unbearable for Amelia. Amelia’s medical team called on TLC for kids to see if there was anything we could do to help get her home.
TLC for kids was able to provide an airconditioner for Amelia’s room so she could return to the comfortable surrounds of home.
One year on and it was time to do something special for the whole family to enjoy…
Thank you so much for sponsoring our trip to the show! We had such a wonderful time. Alexandre and Amelia couldn’t stop smiling. They had never been before and neither had my husband Magnus. We used this to celebrate our one year since the accident and how far we have come. What a great way to celebrate. We saw animals, a motorbike show, went on rides, ate lots of sugar, danced to live music, bought a showbag. All the things you hope to fit in we did but not in a stressful way.
Amelia said as we left, “You know the accident was a very bad thing but we get to have such wonderful things as this now” which I thought was lovely.
If there is anything we can ever help TLC with please let us know. It is so special that we were given this opportunity.
Warmest Regards,
Janie
The ETU working wonders for TLC for kids!
Members of the Electrical Trades Union are joining forces to change the lives of sick kids and their families during their darkest hours in hospital, with the ambitious plan of funding 1000 new TLC Distraction Boxes which guide kids through painful and scary procedures.
In 2012, the Victorian Branch of the ETU came on board as an Official Foundation Sponsor of TLC for kids, with a $25,000 contribution, and the union is now campaigning to engage as many of its 19,000 members as possible, to build on that start-up contribution.
Continue reading “The ETU working wonders for TLC for kids!”
Meet Luke
Meet Luke, a regular 5 year-old boy who loves lego! He also happens to have an auto-immune condition that results in severe muscle weakness. He was recently very unwell and was in ICU at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, and his state of health meant that although conscious, he was unable to communicate for a period of time. As you can imagine this was very tough for him and for his family.
A letter from Alicia, 7
When one of the nurses on our referral network called on us to assist a family who was needing some quality time together, we knew we had an important job to do. Families with sick kids often have to turn most of their attention to looking after that child, and sometimes the most important part of ‘being a family’ gets lost along the way, and that is having a laugh and a bit of fun together! We had a great time planning a handful of fun activities for Alicia’s family, and it always gives us the warm & fuzzies when we get a letter not only from mum or dad, but from the ‘TLC kid” as we call them! In this case, Alicia:
“You brought tears to our eyes”
It’s letters like this that keep us fundraising and working hard! Thank you for your kind words Naomi…
Dear Deb & TLC for kids,
Luke & I can’t thank you enough for your kind generosity in the gifts you have given Harvey at this hard time.
TLC for Kids Blog 
