The Woolworths Fresh Food Kids Hospital Appeal has been running for more than 20 years and allows people to raise money for the children’s wards of hospitals in their community.

In order for the donation to be provided, supermarkets must raise a certain amount. It was Cootamundra Woolworths staff member Tammy Thompson who realised Cootamundra was close to the amount and initiated a final fundraising drive to get the store over the line.

The money will be spent on a colour-coded paediatric resuscitation trolley, which will be used in the emergency department.

The Fresh Food Appeal originally aided Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney, however has expanded over the years to include other regional hospitals.

This was the first year Cootamundra has benefited from the appeal.

Woolworths area manager Janine Keefe made the trip to Cootamundra to join local staff in handing the cheque over to the hospital.

“We would like to thank all our generous customers and dedicated staff who helped raise this extraordinary amount,” Janine said.

It is hoped Cootamundra will join in the Fresh Food Kids Hospital Appeal again next year.

Cootamundra Woolworths store manager Nora Saffioti said she was overwhelmed and ecstatic the Cootamundra community had raised the money for the hospital.