A Superhero Effort

Supertees are innovative, specially designed medical garments aimed at easing the discomfort experienced by kids and their parents whilst in hospital. Not only do they make it easier for hospital staff to access medical lines and administer treatments, they are also emblazoned with superhero motifs. 

Supertees are designed to encourage and inspire sick children undergoing treatment to feel like superheros. The collaboration with the Walt Disney Company has produced two Marvel Edition designs — Captain America and Captain Marvel. 

The Fair Fight Foundation is behind the Supertees initiative and has raised more than $500,000 — and NSW clubs have played a big part. In fact, 15 clubs have contributed more than $130,000.

Over the last 12 months, clubs across the state have taken up the cause, donating money and hosting Supertee packaging day events. Each pack contains not only a Supertee, but an activity booklet with stickers, a character bookmark, a hero ID card and a fellow Avengers’ secret message — all packed up in a special edition tin. 

Community groups and businesses are encouraged to hold Supertee packing events as a team building exercise — an opportunity that Wests Campbelltown and Ettalong Diggers jumped at, with the latter packing a total of 216 Supertee kits. 

The packing efforts have resulted in the garments being provided to both Gosford Children’s Hospital and the children’s ward at Blacktown Hospital.

At Ettalong Diggers, the team was also assisted by a former recipient of a Supertee, a young boy named Ethan, who received one of the packages when he underwent treatment for leukemia and was made to feel like a superhero during his hospital stay.

“We laughed, we cried, and we perspired as we worked together as a team to pack a total of 216 Supertees, 96 of which were destined for Gosford Hospital,” said Ettalong Diggers Tourism and Community Manager Kim Cole.

The Club hopes that other clubs and businesses in the region will be inspired to follow their lead.