GIANT Lollipops are now available during the holiday season.

Radio Lollipop in Newcastle are actively looking for local businesses, theatres and cinemas who would be willing to sell our giant Lollipops to raise much needed funds for Radio Lollipop in Newcastle.

The Lollipops are very tasty, very popular with the kids and sell at £1 each. We are looking for any local business who would be willing to sell the Lollipops. Please let us know if you think you would be interested, by E-mailing Radio Lollipop Newcastle.

Staff at the new Tesco Express opening on Newcastle Quayside are giving their support to local sick kids with a special donation to Radio Lollipop Newcastle.

Store manager Richard Codlin and his staff wanted to show their support for the charity and the volunteers whose dedication makes Radio Lollipop such a success, so to mark the launch of the store, Tesco Express are donating £500 to the charity.

Chair of Radio Lollipop Newcastle Sheila Brown opened the store on Friday 17th November when she was presented with a cheque for £500 from the staff at the store. She cut the ribbon to declare the Tesco Express in Trinity Gardens officially open at 10.30am that morning.

Richard said; “The work that Sheila and her fellow volunteers do to support and entertain the children on the wards at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary is fantastic and we are delighted to be able to offer our support to Radio Lollipop. We would like to thank Sheila for agreeing to join us on Friday to officially open our new store.”

Radio is only a small part of the work that is carried out by the dedicated team of volunteers at Radio Lollipop Newcastle. The volunteers provide play, comfort and care to sick children, visiting five children’s wards at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary. Ward visits by the 15 volunteers currently take place two nights a week and involve games, crafts and prizes for the children.

At present, the radio is broadcast in only one of the children’s wards, however Sheila and her team are working to get Radio Lollipop connected to every child’s bedside in the hospital.

Sheila Brown, Chair of Radio Lollipop Newcastle said; “We would like to thank Tesco for this generous donation, it costs around £6000 a year to keep a Radio Lollipop station running and we are grateful to everyone who has, and continues to, support us.”

Sheila added; “All the help and support we receive is essential to help us continue to provide our services to the children in the hospital, and new volunteers and fundraising events are welcomed and supported by the charity.”

Tesco Express store manager Richard Codlin said; “Myself and the staff are looking forward to welcoming our customers into the store and hope that Tesco Express will become a key part of the local community of residents and workers.”

The new store will open from 6am to 11pm seven days a week.

The Brisbane Bullets Basketball team have a long and successful history on and off the court. On the court they are currently 2nd on the National Basketball League ladder with 9 wins and 4 losses this year.

On the 14 November 2006 the Brisbane Bullets delighted and thrilled the crowd once again, this time the crowd was the sick children and their families and friends at the Mater Children’s Hospital in Brisbane. All 15 players from the Brisbane Bullets took time out from their very busy playing schedule to support Radio Lollipop and come and spend time with the children. What an amazing night it was with all the players getting into the spirit of Radio Lollipop.

Stephen Black and Mark Bradtke started the night by being interviewed on air by Radio Lollipop DJ Liz Jones, while Dillon Boucher, Brad Williamson and Ebi Ere, went up on to the wards to chat with the children, sign autographs and have their photo taken with those who couldn’t make it down to the playroom. Other players had the opportunity to test their craft making skills by helping the children make masks in the playroom. The players rotated through the wards, playroom and being interviewed on air throughout the night.

It truly was an incredible sight to see the players (many of whom are almost 2 metres tall) sitting around the children’s tables and chairs in the playroom making masks with the children. Check out the photo from the left Ere, Goulding, Kelleher, Boucher and Williamson with patient Natasha.

It was a fun night with all the players getting involved in making the stay of a sick child in hospital so much more fun and memorable. Radio Lollipop would like to thank Radio Lollipop Volunteer and special guest co-ordinator Melanie Anderson for arranging and co-ordinating the visit, Darren King the Brisbane Bullets Marketing Manager for supporting Radio Lollipop and all the players for making the night the huge success it was.