The annual Our Kids Calendar was launched on the weekend in time to fill Santa’s Stocking and grace walls throughout the Northern Rivers to raise vital funds for local charity Our Kids. 

Since 2003, the Our Kids calendar has featured children who have spent time in our Children’s Ward or Special Care Nursery, with local photographer Jacklyn Wagner capturing the calendar children beautifully for the past 19 years. 

(The 2020 Our Kids calendar photos in the Lismore Base Hospital. Photo: Simon Mumford)

“The calendar is one of Our Kids signature fundraises and is a beautiful project that tells the story of the children who benefit from the equipment Our Kids buy,” Rebekka Battista, Our Kids Fundraising Coordinator, said. 

(Our Kids Calendar Covergirl Phoenix McClure who was in the Children's Ward for some weeks earlier this year. Phoenix is now fully on the road to recovery. Photo: Supplied)

“This project celebrates the kids who’ve had a tough journey and is a perfect stocking filler as all money raised helps purchase lifesaving equipment for the Children’s Ward and Special Care Nursery in our local hospitals.” 

(Tane Stavenow with his parents Stacey and Lilo. Tane has been in out of Kids Ward for antibiotics for his pneumonia. He is getting better as he gets older. Photo: Supplied)

Due to the generosity of Our Kids sponsors, the full cost of the calendar’s production is covered, allowing all monies raised to go directly to Our Kids. 

Local graphic designer Soren Hjorth from Lismore’s Graphiti Design, Shaun McGuiness from Lismore City Printery, and Rhonda from Armistead helped create the spectacular calendar, which will hang in the foyer of Lismore Base Hospital for 12 months. 

(Lawson Bennett has had many operations on his bladder in his short life so requires a lot of visits to the Kids ward. Lawson is coming through with flying colours. Photo: Supplied)

The calendar is on sale for $20 throughout the Northern Rivers at Westpac Bank Lismore, Lismore Base Hospital, McDonalds, Greater Bank (Lismore, Casino and Ballina), Be Seen Eyewear (Lismore and Ballina), East Ballina Foodstore, Kyogle Dentists, Lennox head Pharmacy, MacDonalds Pharmacy, Angus and Coote, the Book Warehouse and online at www.ourkids.org.au.

(Madeline Chandler has had diabetes since she was 5. Life is improving for Madeline as she learns to manage all aspects of her diabetic management. Photo: Supplied)

For bulk orders phone Our Kids on 6620 2705. 

Thank you to calendar sponsors Southern Cross University, Westpac Bank, Richmond Waste, North Coast Radiology, Goonellabah Medical Centre, McDonalds, Richmond Sand and Gravel, Be Seen Eyewear, Sommerville, Laundry Lomax solicitors, WCA Chartered Accountants, North Coast Petroleum, Graphiti-Design, Hurford Hardwood and Lismore Printery. 

(Aleah O'Keefe was born with a heart condition and this has led to muscle problems now. She requires Botox injections regularly at Kids Ward. Photo: Supplied)