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Charity Founder Wins Tattersall's Award
Tim Conolan, founder and CEO of charity TLC for Kids, has been recognised with a Tattersall's Award for Enterprise and Achievement for his work with seriously ill children.
TLC for Kids, based in North Melbourne, helps hundreds of children each year as they battle serious illnesses. Because of his amazing efforts, Tim receives a trophy, a $5,000 personal prize, and $15,000 for TLC for Kids.
Tim founded the not for profit organisation after visiting the Royal Children’s Hospital in 1998 and learning of a gap to fill in the not for profit sector; meeting the needs of ill children, regardless of the type of disease they have or their age. Tim decided to dedicate much of the following eight years to the ongoing success of TLC for Kids by raising awareness in the media or seeking sponsorships or donations.
“I am extremely overwhelmed for not only being nominated, but for receiving the Tattersall’s Enterprise and Achievement Award. Daily, we see the tragedy of kids being diagnosed with terminal or serious illnesses, and their families in disarray because of this situation. I feel very privileged to know and that I am allowed to be part of these families’ lives, be it for only a few minutes, or for years. I consider this my biggest honour and I feel extremely privileged to provide support for them in their time of need,” Tim says.
The charity began from humble beginnings in Tim’s lounge room. He worked voluntarily for TLC for Kids and funded requests from children by working nights as a DJ. Despite these efforts, by 2000, the charity’s financial position was bleak and requests far outweighed the funds available, making it difficult for the charity’s services to expand.
Requests for the charity’s services continued to outweigh demand in 2002. To raise awareness of TLC for Kids, Tim worked with radio station 3AW to run the “Make a Difference Campaign” with fantastic results; $150,000 was raised in just three and a half hours.
TLC for Kids has helped over 13,000 children and their families since 1998.
TLC for Kids’ initiatives include:
RAPID TLC – Rapid Attention Providing Immediate Distraction with Tender Loving Care. Health care professionals refer their patients via on online referral system. TLC for Kids responds to all requests within 24 – 28 hours and there are no waiting lists or criteria.
Developing the “TLC Distraction Box” which is filled with toys and games. The box is provided children undergoing medical examinations or procedures in hospital, helping to ease the feelings of pain and isolation associated with their new environment. Over 400 TLC Distraction Boxes have been distributed to hospitals working with children around Australia since 2004 and approximately 50,000 children every year benefit from the boxes in Victoria alone.
Regular events, celebrity visits and activities for children in hospital.
About the Award
“The Tattersall’s Award for Enterprise and Achievement is one of Tattersall’s most significant community initiated programs that honours those prepared to ‘have a go’ whether it be overcoming physical disabilities, heroic deeds or helping someone in need. Tim Conolan is a great example of what this award represents, having demonstrated persistence and determination above the norm,” said Tattersall’s Public Affairs Manager, Peter Franich.
Tim Conolan, along with eleven Tattersall’s Monthly Award for Enterprise and Achievement recipients, are in the running to win the 2007 Tattersall’s Annual Award for Enterprise and Achievement, with a $15,000 personal prize and a further $75,000 for the recipients chosen beneficiary. The award will be announced at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne in August 2007.
3AW People’s Choice Award
The 3AW People's Choice award will also be announced in August 2007. This award is for the most popular Tattersall’s monthly winner as voted by 3AW listeners.
Contact: Michael Mangos 8517 7443
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