Durban — The Hardy Boys (THB) ad agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with the KwaZulu-Natal Children’s Hospital Trust to assist its efforts to raise R500 million over the next three years to restore the hospital.
The memorandum aims to commit support with strategic and creative marketing campaigns.
The hospital was once a ray of hope for children, they could feel safe and find hope that they were going to be better as they would watch the ocean from their hospital beds, and the ocean is known for providing healing and comfort, said Taweni Gondwe Xaba of THB.
The hospital was opened in 1931 and was the first children’s hospital in Africa. It was formerly named Addington Children’s Hospital and today, the KZN community still sings the praises of the kindness and care received from doctors, nurses and staff over 90 years.
The hospital was ruined in 1984 after it became a casualty of apartheid, with the government closing its doors. The hospital’s beautiful old buildings went to ruin and the community suffered the loss of a vital asset for the province’s children.
“We are incredibly proud to be partnering with the trust and look forward to leveraging our brand building and marketing communications expertise to help get this immense and important project completed. This hospital has the potential to change the health-care landscape of South Africa and to positively impact so many families. As a proud KZN business, we knew we had to play our part to see this vision come to life,” said Xaba.
Taryn Millar, CEO of the trust said: “We are so thankful for the support of The Hardy Boys team and their guidance to date. Having such a skilled team of individuals working in partnership with the trust gives us an even greater sense of confidence in realising our goal of a fully restored and operational hospital.
“The children of KZN need this designated healing space and THB, as part of our community, has come on board by committing to this much-needed cause.”
Some of the hospital facilities were already fully operational and others are making great progress.
Daily News