2010 and Kano from the Balloon Kings, rushes in to Radio Lollipop Gold Coast especially to be the very first special guest for the 2010 program.

Kane, affectionately now known to us as “Kano the Volcano” erupted on the wards, to once again amaze and mesmerize the children with a “larv-ter flow” of wonderful “smolderingly hot” balloon animals from out of his magic bag. Making request after request of weird and wonderful made to order balloon animals.

Around the wards Kano made sure every child received their very own special balloon. Making giant sized dummies for the little ones, donkeys, dinosaurs and dangerous animals for the older children, little pigs and flowers for the parents and even a special Radio Lollipop spider for our friend Kaleb who watched every move. (Check out the photo).

We can’t thank Kano and the Balloon Kings enough for all their support in 2009 and we are delighted they are supporting us once again throughout 2010. We hope to see Kano and the Balloon Kings team back again soon with more amazing balloon tricks.

RADIO Lollipop’s newest recruits in WA are having great fun entertaining the children (and staff) of Rockingham Hospital.

Meryl Riley from Waikiki, Janet McGlinchey from Rockingham and Lucy Junghans from Shoalwater commenced ward rounds in December.

Between them, the ladies cover morning shifts on Thursdays and Fridays each week. Interviews are currently being conducted for more new recruits to join the team.

Glenice Sanders and Rose Turnbull, both from St John of God Murdoch, have been helping Meryl, Janet and Lucy through their first weeks on the wards.

Glenice said the magic that happens when enthusiastic Lollipop volunteers, nursing staff and parents join forces for the common goal of bringing a smile to a child’s face is always inspiring, adding that mentoring the new recruits has been one of the highlights of her time with Radio Lollipop.

Janet is enjoying the rewards and diversity of her new volunteer role. We also hear the hospital staff are very excited to have their own Radio Lollipop team on the wards!

WESTERN Australia’s newest recruits to Radio Lollipop are having great fun with the children of Rockingham Hospital.

Volunteers Merryl Riley, Janet McGlinchey and Lucy Junghams commenced ward rounds late last year in time for Christmas. Covering two shifts each week, the ladies read stories, blow bubbles, tell jokes, play games and keep Lollipop’s favourite clients company at the bedside

The team are being mentored by Glenice Sanders, Volunteer Coordinator from neighbouring Murdoch Hospital. Glenice and Rose recently joined the ladies at Rockingham for a photo shoot for the local paper.

Glenice said mentoring the new recruits in their first weeks was one of the highlights of her time with Radio Lollipop.

Radio Lollipop is keen to expand the current team to eventually provide play and entertainment for the children of Rockingham seven days a week.