Heath, William and Thomas Ogden, aged 14, 16 and 11. Heath’s recovery as a toddler at the Royal Children’s Hospital inspired the family’s ongoing lamb sale fundraiser in gratitude for the care that saved his life.
When a hospital helps save your child’s life, gratitude becomes something far greater than words, and for Wanalta couple Katrina and Bill Ogden, that gratitude has taken the form of giving back.
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It is their way of honouring the care, compassion and hope that helped save their son Heath’s life, a gift they continue to celebrate 13 years later as they watch him grow and thrive.
However, their way of giving back is far from your standard annual fundraiser, it’s a lamb sale like no other.
“When Heath, our middle son, became sick with pneumonia at the age of 15 months, we spent time at the Royal Children’s Hospital while he underwent surgery to insert a tube into his left lung to remove what obviously shouldn’t have been there,” Katrina said.
“When we left the hospital, we decided we would donate lambs every year on the Monday before Good Friday and sell them at the Bendigo Saleyards.
“All the money raised would then be donated to the RCH to support other families who need help while they are down there.”
Figuring they had taken home a relatively healthy child, something many families sadly do not get to experience, the couple felt fattening up lambs for sale each year was the least they could do to thank the hospital that saved their son’s life.
Today, 13 years on, they have raised more than $70,000.
“Honestly, the experience while being down there was terrifying, having a little baby sick and not being able to help was horrible,” Katrina said.
“The staff in that hospital are incredible, and they do an amazing job caring for all those little humans.”
For the first three years, Katrina and Bill donated all lamb sale proceeds to The Royal Children’s Hospital.
However, since then, all donations have gone to My Room, a children’s cancer charity that not only supports the Royal Children’s Hospital, but also Monash Health.
The charity distributes funds across both hospitals and ensures the support reaches both sick children and their loved ones.
This year the couple sold 10 lambs, with one fetching $700, and the remaining nine selling for $500 each.
A total of $5200 was donated to My Room.
“A big thank you to our meat buyers Midfield, JBS, ALC and TFI,” Katrina said.
“It’s just our way of saying thank you in the best way we know how.”
Bill and Thomas Ogden at the Bendigo Saleyards, where the family’s annual lamb sale is held in support of the Royal Children’s Hospital.
