Stepping out of the lift at the hospital foyer to meet the boys from local singing group Gee’d Up, I found myself hearing them before actually meeting them. Practising a few tunes in the foyer with their guitar in the foyer of the hospital had a few passers-by gathered at the sweet sound of the boys singing.

Singing classics such as ‘My Girl’ and current Top 40 hits, the group can cater to a wide range of ages. Dedicating songs to each of the children gathered in the studio, they created a fun and personal atmosphere. Parents enjoyed some old classics while the younger kids enjoyed some of their favourite modern songs they requested.

After singing at least one song to each child the boys had some time to spend with the children in the studio playing table tennis and jenga with some of the more energetic children and sat and chatted to the children painting. The boys created a handprint for our ‘wall of fame’ before having some happy snaps taken with one of our regular patients Zoe Vance.

Khan, Steve and Joel the members of Gee’d Up originated from New Zealand but now all live in Australia permanently and perform at a range of locations and events around the Gold Coast and in Brisbane. If you’d like to hear them please visit their website http://www.geedupmusic.com.au/

We’d love to send a special thank you to Khan, Steve and Joel and would love to have you back to sing for the kids at Radio Lollipop Gold Coast soon.

Goldie the Clown was heard miles away by the clunking of his huge clown shoes as he walked through the Paediatric Ward at Radio Lollipop Gold Coast. Doctors, nurses, parents and children curiously scanned the hallway for the culprit of the clunking but to their surprise saw Dr Goldie the Clown wearing his smart white coat doctor’s coat and a large stethoscope around his neck.

It was Goldie’s first visit to Radio Lollipop Gold Coast who came along with his good friend Purplena the Face Painting Fairy. Goldie is from Dreamworld where he entertains the thousands everyday with his quick wit and fun tricks.

He got straight into the tricks in the Radio Lollipop studio with his first one pulling a rabbit out of a hat, but first pulling out a banana, a chicken, a phone and a bunch of other items before he finally pulled out the rabbit. He had us all in hysterics.

Laughter was heard through the ward as Goldie entertained quite a crowd of parents, doctors, nurses and of course inside the Radio Lollipop studio. His balloon art was extraordinary making multi-coloured flowers, a number of poodles, swords and whatever else the children requested.

Goldie brought many smiles and so much laughter to the kids and parents at Radio Lollipop Gold Coast. We hope Dr Goldie will be back to entertain us all soon. For more information about Goldie the Clown please ‘like’ Goldie on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/goldietheclown

Purplena the Face Painting Fairy made a special visit to brighten up the Paediatric Ward at Radio Lollipop Gold Coast Hospital.

This was her second visit to the kids at Radio Lollipop and was a special one at that. Purplena knows the power of art and a positive attitude can have and tries to create a joyful atmosphere everywhere she goes. In the studio Purplena painted batman, flowers, and butterflies on faces, hands and arms. She also took a fairy flight around the ward to see the bedridden children to paint some beauty on them. Little Tegan in the photograph was so excited to have her face painted and then be sprinkled with some magic ‘get well fairy dust’.

“I may not be able to change the child’s circumstance,” she explains, “but I know I can give them a positive experience, some joy, happiness and a good memory, despite their circumstances.” That is truly what Purplena does with her beautiful, kind nature with the children and she treats every child as an individual and makes them feel special. Purplena also paints at Dreamworld, birthday parties, other hospitals and for other organisations.

We’d love to thank Purplena and Sam of The Face Painting Company for helping us organise the very special visit and we hope to have Purplena back to spread some more of that ‘get well fairy dust’ around soon.

For more information about Purplena, please visit The Face Painting Company http://www.thefacepaintingcompany.com/index.html or ‘like’ The Face Painting Company on Facebook.

Southampton volunteers took advantage of Grand National fever to stage it’s first ever race night on Saturday 14 April at Southampton local The Obelisk. As the first race of the night hit the screens, the packed pub was gripped with the sort of excitement only seen at Ascot, Aintree or Epsom. The evening was a huge success with over £800 taken in bets, race sponsorship and a raffle and plans to make this an annual event are underway.