A fundraising effort four years in the making has delivered a state-of-the-art piece of equipment to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Optometrists at Deer Park Specsavers joined forces with 23 other Victorian stores to raise more than $100,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Funds donated in the past year have been used to purchase a Tobii Eye Gaze device, a speech-generating machine that allows non-verbal patients to communicate through the movement of their eyes.
Specsavers Deer Park co-owner Gary Melia, who was at the hospital for the unveiling of the new machine, said it had been a pleasure to play a role in improving health outcomes for children.
“I’m so pleased the funds we raised have been used for something that’s going to make such a difference to the lives of non-verbal children,” he said.
Royal Children’s Hospital corporate engagement manager Giovina Cicchitti said the new technology would be life changing for children without a voice.
“This is an incredible piece of technology that’s changing lives.” Ms Cicchitti said.
“It gives children who are unable to speak a voice and means the hospital can deliver the care they rely on.
“We give our thanks to the generosity of the Specsavers Deer Park store and its customers.”
