It was Australian Football League (AFL) fever on the wards last night as one of our local AFL Brisbane Lions players Colm Beasley and their mascot Bernie “Gabba” Vegas visited Radio Lollipop and the children at the Mater Children’s Hospital.

Colm developed his football skills in Ireland with Gaelic football then moved our here to Australia three years ago where he transferred these skills to our AFL.

Colm left autographed posters, stickers and had his photo taken with a number of patients (and excited parents) as a keepsake from their special visitor. As hi-fives and hugs were exchanged, there were many smiling faces left behind with excited chatter among the children.

Check out Bernie, Colm and Radio Lollipop Announcer Tricia Fryer.

A big thank-you goes out to Colm, Bernie, Laura and the Brisbane Lions club for their continued support of Radio Lollipop.

The Scottish Premier League team Hibernian Football Club, donated two tickets to their match against Barcelona as a competition prize to give away on Wednesday 23rd July’s radio show at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

Children on the wards had to answer two questions before their names were added to the draw. Club Operations Advisor Jim Pryde, a supporter of Radio Lollipop, was on hand to ensure fair play and shared the enthusiasm of the Radio Lollipop volunteers when the name of Jonny Clark (Aged 12) was drawn out of the hat.

Jonny, an in-patient of Ward 1, and his mum Julie visited the Radio Lollipop Studio where a delighted Jonny was presented with his tickets.

The good news for Jonny, who is soon to start his first year at Trinity Academy, was that he was being released from hospital on Thursday 24th July, the day of the big game.

Jonny said “It’s going to be a big day for me which I am really looking forward to. I am going to ask my Grandad, George, to go along with me. He is a Hibee.”

Jonny sent in this report after the game:

How It All Ended 6-0

On the 24th of July 2008 FC Barcelona played Hibernian FC at Murrayfield stadium. I really enjoyed the game and not just because I have an interest in football but because I was there with my granddad and I won the tickets in the Radio Lollipop contest. There were some really good goals for Barcelona from Lionel Messi and Eidur Gudjohnsen… Sadly Hibs total goal score was 0 whilst Barcelona came out with a promising win with a total score of 6. Thanks to Radio Lollipop for giving me the opportunity to go to this amazing game after I finally got out of hospital!

Our picture shows Jonny with show presenter, Graham Barr (left) and volunteers Dougie Robertson (right) and Stephan Verth (front).

There has been a high demand for tickets to the annual Radio Lollipop (Edinburgh) Black Tie Ball which is taking place on Friday 3rd October at the Roxburghe Hotel, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. There are still some tickets available at a cost of £50. The event will include a champagne reception, three course meal and entertainment. All money raised by the event will support the continuing work of Radio Lollipop at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

Forth One DJ Iain Waugh will compère the Ball which is being sponsored by jmarchitects, www.jmarchitects.net. There will also be lots of Lollipop fun throughout the night including a raffle and auction. For more information or to book your ticket please contact Graham Barr, graham.barr@radiolollipop.org, 0131 464 6100.

Darth Vader and his crew of Storm Troopers, Sand Man and Fighter Pilot returned to visit Radio Lollipop and the children at the Mater Children’s Hospital.

It was a cold and windy Sunday afternoon and the children were excited with the distraction of a visit by these scary guests. They were even more delighted to receive gifts of trading cards, figurines and toys kindly donated by the visitors to remember their visit.

Although, some of our little ones were quite unsure of our visitors, most put on a brave face and a huge smile to get their photo taken to show off to their friends and family. Hi-Fives and hugs were in plentiful supply after the children got used to having them around.

A huge thank you to our Radio Lollipop Adopt-a-Cop Nathan for organising this visit. Thanks also to the 501st Legion for taking the time out to come and visit whilst in Brisbane. The kind donation of gifts from supporters at the Gencom convention was also appreciated.

Check out Radio Lollipop Chairperson Scott Bradley with our guests.