PAUL MURRAY RALLIES AUSTRALIANS TO HELP SICK CHILDREN
May 31, 2024
Sky News host Paul Murray considers himself a traditionalist rather than a conservative. His colleagues have described him on one side having the on-air bravado of an opinion maker, but the other side of him is so soft it is almost unrecognisable.
Murray’s viewers and listeners are fiercely loyal. The huge outpouring of compassion that came Murray’s way when he and his wife Sian lost their firstborn, Leo, is perhaps testament to this side of him. Leo tragically died just 33 hours after he was born.
“We were told by the end of the first day that basically he wasn’t going to make it,” Murray remembers, “but we didn’t expect it to be so fast.”
It’s clear that Leo’s short life had a powerful impact on Murray and his wife, who were motivated to partner with the Humpty Dumpty Foundation to fundraise for medical equipment to hospitals across the country.
In October 2023, Paul Murray chose the Mildura region to feature on his Paul Murray Live: Our Town program to raise funds for an ATOM incubator for Mildura Base Public Hospital.
Mildura is home to over 57,000 people and located in northwest regional Victoria. Mildura Base Hospital has 172 beds, with an eight bed paediatric unit. There are about 800 babies born here each year, and over 7,400 paediatric patients present to their emergency department annually.
Murray set an initial fundraising target of $50,000 - and due to overwhelming support from his viewers and community, the fundraising reached over $163,000. Helping generate this amazing fundraising result was Kyle Sandilands from KIIS FM who donated the largest single amount of $20,000.
This meant that not only was the ATOM incubator able to be donated to the hospital, but other medical equipment too, including a MX 500 Monitor, a 950 Humidification System, a Premature Anne and a Newborn Anne Training Manikin. A Viva Paediatric Emergency Cart was also donated to the Robinvale District Health Service.
Paul Murray’s loyal viewers and supporters also shared their messages of support for the fundraiser.
Said Stacey L: "Every newborn deserves the best start in life. Let’s make an impact and lead the way as a community, and maybe our governments will get the hint. We are a first-world country after all. Aren’t we?"
Linda Black also commented, "Thanks to Paul Murray, I've become aware of this remarkable charity."
Anne and Dave Pascoe wrote, “In support of Paul’s heartfelt personal story."
And Chris and Simon Blair also sent a message of support: "From two former Mildura brothers who know the Base Hospital very well!"
Paul Murray wanted to use his ‘Our Town’ program as a vehicle for shining a light on regional areas that urgently needed paediatric medical equipment.
“As one of the legacies of my time on the television, and as Leo’s dad, I want to make sure I help in any way I can, to ensure other kids can make it through the first few days of their life,” Mr Murray said. Job well done Paul Murray and supporters – job well done!
Paul Murray’s ongoing dedication to helping other unwell babies, even in the face of tragically losing his own, has been greatly appreciated by Humpty’s team – including Paul Francis.
“Paul Murray has a long history of supporting Humpty, driven by his own experiences with his son, Leo,” said Paul Francis.
“From the adversity that he and his wife Sian went through, he has rallied his viewers to make a difference and to give sick children a better opportunity at life – and we’re so thankful to have his help.”
