The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation Donation Day has become one of the biggest (and most fun) days in the Ricky Richards calendar. Hosted annually on the first Friday of December, a percentage of all sales is donated to SCHF.

Social responsibility and community are at the heart of what Ricky Richards does. In 1996, the Directors of Ricky Richards opted to make a monetary donation that would enrich the community rather than sending Christmas cards. Thankfully, they chose Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick to give their first donation of $1,000. The partnership began there and has expanded ever since. 

“There are lots of good causes. You can pick any number, there are thousands,” says Ron Gottlieb, Director of Ricky Richards. “We felt that giving to the kids was something that touched everybody.”

Furthering the connection between Ricky Richards and SCHF, Kelly Morgan, an employee of 12 years, recently required the care and services of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

“In May 2020, my son Jimmy-Jay was born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate which led to him being a patient at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. He’s had two major surgeries,” says Kelly.

Kelly found out her fourth child would be born with a gap from the top left side of his mouth that would continue through to his soft palate on the roof of his mouth in her 20-week routine pregnancy scan. Kelly knew that she would need the support of the Cleft Palate team at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. The surgical team reached out to her during her pregnancy and put the wheels in motion to rectify Jimmy-Jay’s birth abnormality.

“It made us feel safe and well equipped as they explained the journey our son would be on from birth until around 28 years old.”

Before the team contacted her, Kelly knew of the work The Children’s Hospital at Westmead did, through both her career and her own research. Kelly said she is proud to work for Ricky Richards and thankful for the partnership between her workplace and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.

“The support of companies like ours ensures funding for much-needed research, world-class care and the implementation of new technologies and equipment where needed; I am in awe of the Children’s Hospital team every time we visit.”