Teddy Bears Donation For a Good Cause

The Pharmacy Guild of Queensland Branch donates APP items to charity

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch has found a silver lining in the postponement of this year’s Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference (APP), with the donation of several unused items to charity organisations.

The Guild has donated 200 teddy bears to the Children’s Hospital Foundation to help bring smiles to sick children in hospital.

The bears, which are usually used as prizes for APP delegates, have gone to much deserving homes after APP2020 was postponed due to COVID-19 and the restrictions placed on mass gatherings.

Queensland Branch President, Trent Twomey said the Guild wanted a positive outcome to result from the postponement of the event.

“The postponement of APP in March was a major disappointment for delegates, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and event suppliers,” Mr Twomey said.

“The Guild wanted to give something back to the community, and none are more deserving than sick kids in hospital.”

“We are happy that the bears, which are highly sought after at APP, have now been used for a greater purpose.”

The Guild, in conjunction with the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC), has also donated food which was to be consumed by APP delegates to charity organisations.

The Centre prepared around 15,000 meal portions which were distributed to the area’s most vulnerable by local agencies including OzHarvest and Love This City, a charity arm of OurChurch.

Love This City spokesperson, Ruth Arnold was working closely with GCCEC to ensure that the meals reached those most in need and thanked everyone involved for their generosity in helping the local community.

“The kindness and thought has been a wonderful boost both practically and emotionally and mentally for the recipients,” Ruth said.

APP Convenor, Kos Sclavos said that during these stressful and difficult times, the Guild was delighted to be able to help those in need.
“There are a lot of people doing it tough right now, and we are happy to be able to assist in some capacity.”