Are you one of the 46,000 people who are helped by the Ballarat Health Services (BHS) Emergency Department each year?

Even if you're not, there's a very good chance you've got a friend or loved one who has.

So you'll know we have highly skilled medical and nursing staff who strive to provide the very best level of care to every individual and family they see.

But now we need your help.

To continue our outstanding work, we need to expand the Emergency Department, build a Short Stay Unit and invest in vital technology and equipment.

How do we do this?

By raising $500,000 to contribute to these new facilities and services.

What do we do in the BHS Emergency Department?

The BHS Emergency Department is a Ballarat icon that has helped generations from across regional Victoria in times of need.

Each year, we treat more than 46,000 individuals - that's almost one in two Ballarat residents annually, or six football teams daily.

We administer highly skilled specialist care and are equipped to deal with major illness, accidents and trauma.

With Emergency Department patient numbers constantly increasing, an ageing population and advances in medical technology, there is a growing need to update and invest in the best facilities, resources and equipment for our Emergency Department.

Please help us get better together by raising $500,000 to improve services and facilities at the BHS Emergency Department.

Did you know the BHS Emergency Department is the Grampians regional trauma centre? This means we deal with major disasters and trauma, such as the Trawalla train crash in 2006.

How can you help?

By donating to the "Spread our Wings" campaign, you can help us purchase heart monitors, a hospital bed for the Short Stay Unit, an ultrasound machine or ear, nose and throat equipment.

You can show your support in many ways, whether it's through a one-off donation or something more elaborate - the only limit is your imagination!

Why not embrace our ‘wings' theme and organise a casual clothes day by donation? The sight of dozens of Batmans, Tinkerbells and Big Birds is sure to raise awareness and promote this important cause.

Other fundraising ideas include:

• A Workplace Friday Fundraiser
• A sausage sizzle
• Sporting activities, such as a charity run/walk or bike ride.

How you can donate

By telephone
Please call Geoff Millar on 03 5320 4093 to make a credit card donation using Visa or MasterCard

By email
Email your credit card details to foundation@bhs.org.au

In person
Donations are accepted at the Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital Accounts Office, Ground floor, Yuille House, Drummond St Nth, Ballarat

By post
Send a cheque or money order to: Ballarat Health Services Foundation, PO Box 577, Ballarat 3353