Kidzwish Foundation

A first ever mobile speech therapy service for the Illawarra, funded by the Greater Charitable Foundation, will provide disadvantaged kids aged four and under with communication skills vital to their future.

The early intervention service involves the employment of a mobile speech therapist and will start early next year. By providing programs in groups at 10 pre-schools each year, the therapist will be able to provide services for up to 750 children over a three year period.

KidzWish Foundation general manager Simon Davie said that a child’s inability to communicate effectively has been linked with developmental delay and behavioural issues that subsequently affect families, schools and communities.

KidzWish launched a new fundraising campaign titled ‘Grant a local Kidz Wish’ which will help send over 3200 sick, disabled and disadvantaged children to the Stockland KidzWish Christmas Party for Special Children.

On Tuesday 5 July 2011, at Chifley Wollongong, KidzWish launched their new ‘Grant a local Kidz Wish’ fundraising campaign to raise money for the special children in the Illawarra.

The ‘Grant a local Kidz Wish’ fundraising campaign is championed by KidzWish Child Ambassador Noah Southall, KidzWish Ambassador & Wollongong ahm Hawks captain Mat Campbell and loyal KidzWish supporter Max Luckman.

KidzWish Child Ambassador Noah Southall said my wish is to go to the amazing Stockland KidzWish Christmas Party for Special Children, which is held at the WIN Entertainment Centre. It's for local sick, disabled and disadvantaged children here in the Illawarra.

Kody Tobler is a 3 year old local child who has a rare condition that results in him having many operations. He spent his first 2 ½ years in hospital and has only recently been able to spend some time at home.

Kody has slept very few nights at home in his short life. He was born with many difficulties including gastrosis - a section of his intestine that formed outside of his abdominal cavity.

At the 2011 KidzWish Annual Charity Ball, Justin was presented with a new car to help with transporting Kody to hospital.

KidzWish General Manager Simon Davie said the car is an essential need for Kody, as his father’s car is continually breaking down, often with Kody in the car. The car he currently has is beyond repair and he is struggling to find money for a replacement.

Only 15 hours after KidzWish puts on the biggest Christmas Party of its kind in Regional Australia, KidzWish presented Wollongong’s Premier Event - the 2011 KidzWish Annual Charity Ball, which is proudly supported by Finance Control.

On Friday 25 November 2011, over 750 corporate guests, which included the business leaders of Wollongong, attended this year’s Charity Ball - helping to raise much needed funds for all sick, disabled and disadvantaged children who live in the Illawarra region. 

KidzWish Executive Director, Chris Beaven commented: “The 2011 KidzWish Annual Charity Ball was bigger and better than ever before.  The evening included performances by Damien Leith, Justice Crew and the Geoff Harvey Big Band along with an exciting stage adaptation of Mary Poppins. Richard Wilkins hosted the night.”