18 April 2008

Spirit of Tasmania will be conducting an all day fundraising event McCrazy McHair McMuffin Day at the Spirit of Tasmania Devonport Terminal on Tuesday 22 April 2008.

All proceeds raised from this fun and utterly crazy initiative will be given to the Ronald McDonald House in support of the invaluable accommodation assistance provided to families who travel to Hobart and receive treatment for their sick children.

Each month Spirit of Tasmania’s Reservations Department conducts a fundraising initiative to assist a local charity of its staff’s choice. This month’s choice was unanimously voted after the recent experience Telephone Sales Team Leader Des Reeve and his family had as guests of Ronald McDonald House.

On 23 February 2008, Des and his wife Monica celebrated the birth of their first child, Ruby. Three days later Ruby stopped breathing and turned blue while feeding several times. She was emergency airlifted by the Tasmanian Air Ambulance to Hobart where she received treatment while Des and Monica stayed nearby at Ronald McDonald House.

Mr Reeve said the House gave both Monica and him a comfortable and convenient accommodation alternative whilst being away from home and it was only a five minute walk to the neo-natal intensive care unit in the hospital.

“Both Monica and I were going through such a stressful time in our life and the Ronald McDonald House staff really made us feel at home, most welcome and certainly comfortable,” he said.

“Extensive tests were carried out on little Ruby and the medical staff identified

that when she was feeding she would simply forget to breathe sometimes. This was purely a developmental issue and luckily there were no medical implications after all.

“Today, Ruby is doing just brilliantly thanks to all the supportive staff and excellent services provided by Ronald McDonald House.

“Monica and I are so grateful for the support they gave us in this enormously difficult time and our work fundraiser is the least we can do to show our heartfelt thanks and appreciation.”

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

What:	McCrazy McHair McMuffin Day Spirit of Tasmania staff will be selling home-made muffins, and sporting loud, coloured crazy hair do’s.
When:	11am Tuesday 22 April 2008
Where:	Spirit of Tasmania, Terminal Building, The Esplanade, East Devonport.
Why:	To raise much needed funding for Ronald McDonald House Hobart.
Who:	Spirit of Tasmania’s Reservations Department Des & Ruby Reeve will be present for a photo opportunity.

If you intend to send a photographer please notify Carolyn Neill, on

0438 393 898.

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Released by:
Carolyn Neill
Corporate Communications Coordinator
Tel: 03 9206 6220 / 0438 393 898
cjn@spiritoftasmania.com.au