Batemans Bay Hospital: Funding thanks to show ribbon rugs

The Royal Agricultural Society crafted rugs from the unused ribbons from the 2020 Sydney Royal Easter Show and sold them at the 2021 event.

More than 400 people took advantage of the opportunity to wrap themselves in one of the special rugs, which quickly sold out.

Hospitals in Batemans Bay, Broken Hill, Bourke, Grafton, Wyalong, Leeton, and Mudgee will all receive $6000 to go towards maternity and pediatric equipment.

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Murray Wilton, General Manager of Agriculture and Sydney Royal Easter Show says he is delighted the 2020 Show ribbons could be utilised for such a great cause.

"Following the cancellation of the 2020 event, we had boxes upon boxes of ribbons leftover, with many patrons reaching out to see what we were going to do with them," he said.

"To leverage what is now a piece of RAS history and use that to support the communities that gives so much to the RAS and the Sydney Royal Easter Show is a great feeling.

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"The RASF does a fantastic job in supporting rural and regional NSW and I couldn't be prouder of our team for pulling this fundraiser together."

RASF Manager Cecilia Logan thanked all who purchased a 2020 ribbon rug.

"Regional hospitals often fall short with funding and the inequity in healthcare services between city and country is undeniable," she said.

"Through the fundraiser we hoped to arm our regional hospitals with the equipment that can improve the safety of their community and the generations to come."

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The RASF managed to raise $120,000 during the Sydney Royal Easter Show, funds that will be directed back into regional communities through grants and hospital equipment.

To learn more about the RASF, please visit www.rasf.org.au.