Firefighters to award ‘Superhero’ Sick kids at bear cottage - manly
Firefighters are often seen as real-life superheroes – but Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews believe they might just have met their match.
They will visit Bear Cottage this Sunday to present bravery medals to children confronted with life-limiting illnesses and end of life situations.
Established on Sydney’s Northern Beaches 21 years ago, the facility provides a home away from home for children in palliative care and their families. It aims to be as far removed from the hospital environment as possible, while still readily providing access to some of the best medical resources in the world.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the FRNSW medal presentation will form part of Bear Cottage’s major Superhero Week fundraiser.
“Some of our own firefighters have been supported by Bear Cottage in their families’ times of need and this is a really special way for FRNSW to give back and have a positive impact on these children,” Ms Cooke said.
Member for Manly James Griffin is encouraging the community to get their capes on and support the Superhero Week fundraiser.
“Bear Cottage is the only hospice in NSW which welcomes children with life-limiting illnesses from not just Manly and Sydney, but right across our State,” Mr Griffin said.
FRNSW Assistant Commissioner – Metro Operations Paul McGuiggan said the agency is proud to support Bear Cottage in reaching its $250,000 fundraising target and bringing joy to sick children.
“The children don’t know in advance that they’re getting the bravery medals, and to see the smiles on their faces when we hand them over is priceless,” Assistant Commissioner McGuiggan said.
FRNSW Zone Commander Superintendent Kel McNamara recalled conversations with Bear Cottage staff which gave him the idea of a medal presentation.
“They called us their superheroes, but I said we’re not the superheroes – the children are, the families are and the staff are,” Superintendent McNamara said.
Bear Cottage’s Superhero Party will be held at the International College of Management (ICMS) located at 151 Darley Road, Manly. The event for patients, their families and the staff will run from 11am to 3pm on Sunday, 24 July. The medal presentation will take place around 12:30pm.
For more information on how to get involved, visit: superheroweek.com.au.