:: Touched By Olivia ::

On Monday 16 June, Justine Perkins – City of Canada Bay’s Citizen of the Year 2007, and husband John Perkins, founders of the Touched by Olivia Foundation, presented a cheque for $105,000 to purchase essential equipment in the treatment of children with serious neurological disorders at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick - the principle specialist referral centre for children from the City of Canada Bay & Inner West.

The funds for the equipment which were raised by the Touched by Olivia Foundation - Butterfly Ball held on 2 May in the Sarah Grand Ballroom, Le Montage in Leichhardt, will be the Foundation’s second major contribution to the Hospital totalling more than $200,000 in less than 18 months.

The second annual Butterfly Ball which raised an extraordinary $210,000 was attended by 700 guests and featured guest speaker Dr Barry Duffy, Lochie Daddo as master of ceremonies, entertainment by Slide McBride and a special guest appearance by Damien Leith.

‘We are delighted that funds raised from the Butterfly Ball are able to help the Hospital by providing two pieces of specialised equipment - a Telemetry System to diagnose seizure disorders in children ($60,000) and a Electromyograph, machine to treat children with neuromuscular disorders ($45,000),’ said Mr Perkins.

‘Our commitment to the Hospital which does such extraordinary work in the treatment of seriously ill children from all corners of NSW and beyond, is on-going,’ said John Perkins.

Professor Les White, Executive Director, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick praised the efforts of the Touched By Olivia Foundation. "We at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick are extremely grateful for the invaluable commitment by John and Justine Perkins who, through the Touched By Olivia Foundation, have supported the purchase of key equipment which will greatly benefit our patients. Despite their own tragic loss John and Justine have chosen to make a difference to the lives of so many other children," Professor White said.

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