One million dollars: it's in the bag

Tuesday 23 June 2009

1 millionth tote bag The Royal Children's Hospital Auxiliaries sold its one millionth Tote Bag today to a young - and very surprised - leukaemia patient.

Seven-year-old Ben Clark was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2006. Before leaving the hospital after an outpatient appointment this morning, Ben and his mother Kristen visited the Auxiliaries stall to purchase a Tote Bag, when they were greeted with streamers and cheers.

The sale indicates that Auxiliary members have helped raise $1 million for the RCH from the sale of the bag alone. Ben was overjoyed to receive the special bag, saying he will use it to carry his toys.

The ever-popular, environmentally friendly Tote Bag is sold for $2.50 by RCH Auxiliary members - friends of the hospital who are passionate about ensuring the RCH provides outstanding care for its patients.

The bag has been a fixture at the RCH since 2004, when Auxiliaries introduced the item into its product range. At a time when the trend for reducing plastic bag usage was just taking flight throughout the world, Auxiliaries saw an opportunity to support the cause while raising funds for the hospital.

"An Auxiliary Executive member was travelling in Germany when she noticed the popularity of recyclable bags. No sooner had she called me to describe them than I was on the phone to suppliers to come up with a design for the hospital," said Sue Manson, Auxiliary Coordinator.

The first shipment of bags was for 10,000 in one style and two colours. With increased demand, the range has since swelled to over 200 colour and design combinations and is now ordered in 80,000-lots.

The Tote Bag is the cheapest and most colourful item sold by the Auxiliaries and therefore enjoys a strong following with the young and not-so-young. Ms Manson says Auxiliary members sell the bags at shopping centres, shows, expos, markets, and within the RCH. The bags are also sold by children at school fetes and stalls, and by businesses wishing to use them as conference bags.

"The Tote Bag has a multitude of uses. Parents purchase them for their children to use as library bags and swimming bags. They're also perfect as nappy, laundry and toiletry bags", Ms Manson said.

"Of course, they're also more colourful and attractive than ordinary supermarket recyclable bags. When people carry the bags, they are instantly recognised as supporters of The Royal Children's Hospital," she said.

Tote Bags may be purchased from a number of retailers, including the Tote Bag stall at the RCH, Colonial Fruit Co. stores and online at www.shop.rch.org.au.

Channel 10, 23 June 2009 - RCH sells millionth tote bag.