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The Brisbane Royal Children's Hospital Foundation Reserach and Development Centre is the first nominated charity, chosen by Anthony Pryke, a regular visitor to BroncoNet for a number of years. Anthony was touched by the story of a father, whose own 7-month-old daughter is in need of a liver transplant, donating $50 to the foundation through radio station B105's Christmas Appeal.

The Foundation strives to provide the finest possible care for children, young people and their families, and their efforts in research and development in a wide range of areas is amazing. Current research includes: nutrition and growth, eating disorders, rehabilitation, burn injuries, cystic fibrosis, liver transplantation, childhood leukaemia and other cancers, life threatening viruses, asthma and respiratory illness and child protection and advocacy.

An example of the Research and Development Centre's prowess is the fact that just 20 years ago barely 10% of children survived childhood leukaemia. Now that figure is reaching 80%.

Liver research is a particularly vital part of the Foundation's work. Each year 15-20 children undergo liver transplants at the Royal Children's Hospital. A donated liver can survive in storage only 18 hours, even with the most advanced techniques employed. The Research and Development Centre is trying to increase that window of opportunity and, hopefully, increase the chances of survival of children requiring this lifesaving surgery.

BroncoNet thrives on the passionate Brisbane community and this small gesture is a means to give something back. And for the launch of the programme you too can get something back. Any donation over $50 (Australian) will receive a free copy of the Broncos 2000 CD-ROM produced by BroncoNet to commemorate the club's fifth premiership.

For more information on the programme, click here. To visit the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation, click here.