The Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH) has reached its Capital Campaign target of $12 MILLION thanks to the generosity of South Australians. The high-profile Campaign aimed at "Building a Better Hospital for Kids by 2005" has arguably been the State's most successful fundraising program in decades.

The money - which will be matched dollar for dollar by the State Government amounting to a total of $24 million - is being used to upgrade the 25-year-old children's wards in the hospital's Good Friday Building and to increase the funds available for medical research.

Since the Campaign launch in June 1998, thousands of community groups, companies and individuals have contributed financially enabling several major projects to be completed. These include the Paediatric Surgical Theatres Holding Bay and Recovery areas, the Surgical Consultants Suite, the Sleep Studies Unit, the Diabetes and Endocrine Unit, Day of Surgery Admissions, Campbell 24-hour Ward and the Gilford Day Unit.

All of these projects have greatly assisted in improving the care of sick children. The state-of-the-art-renovated areas are spacious, non-threatening and child-friendly to help relax children who are anxious about being in hospital. Beautiful murals, soothing colours and even child-height nursing stations show how much thought has gone into ensuring children are made as comfortable as possible.

Further projects to be completed by 2005 include the development of a new Emergency Department and the renovation of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

The Campaign has also assisted the Hospital's 200 medical researchers to continue their vital work in disease prevention, and developing new treatments and cures.

Major Capital Campaign sponsors include Savings & Loans Credit Union, the Friends of the WCH, Henley Properties Group, The McGuinness McDermott Foundation and the staff of Woolworths Ltd. About $5 million has been raised through the Annual Giving program, pledges and bequests, including significant amounts from Frank Gilford, the Robinson Estate and Variety - the Children's Charity.

WCH A/Chief Executive Officer Phil Widdas says the Hospital gratefully acknowledges everyone who has assisted the Campaign. "Whether large or small gifts, they have all helped us to meet our target and we give our heartfelt thanks to all those people who have made this success possible," he said.