Drawn2Life’s Batman and Spider-man visit Gold Coast Radio Lollipop

We’ve all seen Batman versus Superman, (let’s be honest for a moment here, no matter what the movie was like, as if Superman isn’t the obvious winner!) but when it comes to the battle between heroes who walk amongst us, the real question is: Who would win, Batman or Spider-man?

Gold Coast Radio Lollipop were recently visited by Drawn2Life, a Brisbane costuming group committed to supporting local charities by dressing up in authentic superhero and villain costumes.

Drawn2Life had planned a Spider-man vs. Batman theme to generate a light-hearted competition. Matthew and Luke dressed up in fantastically realistic costumes, and the heroes visited each child at their hospital bedside. Accompanied by volunteers, the team engaged in a friendly banter to gauge which superhero the child preferred. They had also prepared mask templates of the two heroes for the kids to decorate.

The children’s ward at Gold Coast University Hospital is slightly smaller in comparison to the Radio Lollipop studio at the old Southport Hospital, but that was no trouble for our big heroes.

“The brilliant thing about that is it means that the visits aren’t rushed at all,” says Matthew.

“…we were able to spend genuine time with each and every child that wanted a special visitor.”

At the end of the night, the result was clear: Spider-man was the winner in the eyes of Gold Coast kids! However, Batman, Radio Lollipop can assure you that your special visit to the hospital has left a lasting impression on each and every child that night.

“…sometimes you get to experience something that is just so special and rewarding,and the feeling just blows you away,” said Matthew.

“I cannot wait until our next visit.”

Matthew, Luke, and the team at Drawn2Life, Radio Lollipop cannot wait to welcome you to our studios again.

You can check out Drawn2Life’s experience with Radio Lollipop here on the group’s page.

Purplena Supports Radio Lollipop in a ‘Fairy’ Special Event

Radio Lollipop Special Guest, Milana Tornatore, also known as Purplena the Face Painting Fairy, recently held a ‘fairy’ special event to launch her new book, ‘My Best Friend is a Fairy’. The gorgeous book is the first in a series of children’s books for young girls. For each book sold in the month of September, Purplena has kindly offered to donate a percentage to Radio Lollipop.

Purplena is a long-time friend of Radio Lollipop and has visited Radio Lollipop Gold Coast a number of times over the past few years. Purplena’s visits to the ward are always very special. Purplena not only brings beautiful face painting for the children to enjoy, but she has an ability to create an atmosphere to connect with each child and make them feel special. Purplena takes the time to talk to every child and sprinkle some ‘get well fairy dust’ to help them feel better.

Not only does she paint the children’s faces in the Radio Lollipop studio but she takes time to fly around the ward to paint the faces of children who are too unwell to get out of bed. This is a very positive experience for those who are often feeling so sick.

At the launch a $150 donation was presented to Radio Lollipop Director, Sandra Ursino OAM and Miriam Swanborough, a Radio Lollipop Volunteer, explained a bit about Radio Lollipop and Purplena’s very special visits to the wards at Gold Coast Hospital. ‘My Best Friend is a Fairy’ was presented to a number of young girls at the launch who Purplena has gotten to know over the years she’s been face painting at Dreamworld. One young girl uses a walking frame and Purplena told the beautiful story of how her Dad used to take her to Dreamworld to visit Purplena. All day he’d tell her, ‘I think Purplena is over here?’ or, ‘Maybe she’s over there?’ to get his daughter to walk the distance around the park to get her exercise for the day. Purplena was nowhere to be found until the end of the day when she got her special visit to Purplena as well as her face painted beautifully with the design of her choice. This was the highlight of her trip to Dreamworld and Purplena is truly making a difference in so many lives and we’re thankful she has chosen to share her talents and give some of her time to the children at Radio Lollipop too.

Congratulations on your new book Purplena and thank you so much for your ongoing support of Radio Lollipop – your love for the kids, your caring nature and your giving heart. We hope you will return to visit the children at Radio Lollipop as special guest soon, to colour up the ward and to sprinkle some more of your ‘get-well fairy dust’.

For more information about Purplena the Face Painting Fairy visit The Face Painting Company Website

To purchase ‘My Best Friend is a Fairy’ visit Amazon.com

Photo: L-R Sandra Ursino, Milana Tornatore and Miriam Swanborough

Major radio stations unite for Radio Lollipop on 28 June 2013

Major radio stations in Brisbane and the Gold Coast will create history when they join forces for Radio Lollipop on Friday 28 June. This is an important story for all Queensland families!

Imagine just for a moment spending time in hospital. You’ve never been to hospital before, and everything you see and hear feels unfamiliar and a little scary. Doctors and nurses keep coming in and out of the room… a room you have to share with strangers, all at a time when you feel stressed and unwell. Now imagine for a moment this happening to you as a small child…

Our team of Radio Lollipop volunteers support children in hospital with a range of entertainment and activities that brighten their day, but the biggest toy in our toy box is the RADIO. Nothing is more powerful than watching a child smile for the first time all day because they heard their name on the radio, or seeing a child forget their cares as they sing along to their favourite song.

Our Radio Lollipop volunteers share experiences like these with more than 12,000 Queensland kids every year! And now more than ever they need YOUR help!

Eight major radio stations in South East Queensland are rising to the challenge including Brisbane’s 4BC, 4BH, B105, 4MMM, 4KQ, 97.3FM, 106.9 Nova FM, 612 ABC and Gold Coast ABC. So listen out for Radio Lollipop on Friday 28 June and help us raise $250,000 so that Radio Lollipop can relocate to three new Queensland children’s hospitals.

Donate on 28 June by calling 1300 728 931 or donate now at rldo.radiolollipop.org/donate