Helping hands: Anujan Cenan (left, with Doug Bennetts) got the idea to fund-raise for The Children's Hospital at Westmead from his dad. "I went there when I accidentally broke my arm when I was 4," Anujan said. Picture: Mike Sea
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead’s largest fund-raising appeal, the Bandaged Bear Appeal, will be launched with Bandaged Bear Day on Friday, March1. Details: bandagedbear.org.au.
AT 91, Doug Bennetts is the oldest fund-raiser for The Children's Hospital at Westmead. And Anujan Cenan, 8, is the youngest.
Both hail from The Hills, where 20 per cent of the population reported doing voluntary work in the 2011 Census — 4.5 per cent more than in greater Sydney, but 19.3 per cent less than in 2006. There are now 26,231.
"To date we've raised $58,000 for the hospital's oncology department," said Mr Bennetts, of Carlingford.
The money was raised over 12 years through lunches hosted by the NSW Master Builders Bowls Club of which Mr Bennetts, a Medal of the Order of Australia recipient, has been secretary-treasurer for 33 years.
Anujan, a year 3 pupil at The King's School, busked with his violin at Castle Towers in Castle Hill.
He raised $145 in 45 minutes.
"I was a little embarrassed but then I got used to it," he said. "I'll do it again."
So will Mr Bennetts.
"I'll be 92 when I bring over the cheque in March," he said, referring to the club's next fund-raising lunch.
Annine Jackson, head of fund-raising at the hospital, said: "We're so grateful to have the generous support of people like Anujan and Doug in the community".