Manly West’s Bruce Corrie is an invaluable member of the Queensland Children’s Hospital volunteer team. Photo: Supplied.
Sick kids and their families always have a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on or even a comforting cuddle thanks to Children’s Hospital Foundation volunteers who donate their time at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Manly West resident, Bruce Corrie, donates his time to supporting children and their families going through treatment at Queensland Children’s Hospital, having dedicated more than 510 hours of his time over the past six years.
As a Ward Orientation and previous Bedside Play Volunteer, Bruce helps alleviate the anxiety of newly admitted families into inpatient wards by giving them all the information they need for their stay and advising where they can seek help and support.
Bruce turned to the Children’s Hospital Foundation to volunteer as a way of putting smiles on kids’ faces and helping to make their time in hospital a more pleasant experience, and it certainly hasn’t been short of memorable moments.
“I will always remember visiting a young indigenous girl in her room while completing a bedside play shift, and we instantly connected and had so much fun playing games from the loans trolley together,” Mr Corrie said.
“It was particularly special as her family were from a remote community, so she didn’t get a lot of visitors, and the nursing staff had advised me that she really looked forward to my visits as it meant fun and laughter.
“Sadly, I was advised before one of my shifts that she had passed away from her long-term illness, which was such a tragic loss. The time I spent with her and her family will always stay with me and remain close to my heart.
“If you’re thinking about volunteering, give it a go. Believe me, you will be a better person for meeting all the amazing people, including patients and families, medical staff, and the wonderful Children’s Hospital Foundation family.”
Bruce has also volunteered through the pet therapy program, in the holding bay and Kidzone – a dedicated free and supervised playroom on Level 6 of Queensland Children’s Hospital, manned by Foundation staff and volunteers.
“Volunteers are truly the heart of our organisation, and we couldn’t provide the services we do throughout the hospital and community centres without the dedication, commitment and kindness of our volunteers,” said Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO Rosie Simpson.
