Santa Claus came early to the Blacktown Hospital’s childcare centre this year with a little help from a three-year-old boy.
Hurley Huempel won $400 for Coolamon Child Care Centre from one of the hospital’s builders, Laing O’Rourke, in a crane naming competition last week.
The boy won the competition with his suggestion of “The Claw†for one of the two huge cranes working on the hospital’s $324 million redevelopment project.
Laing O’Rourke recently invited children from the childcare centre next to the building site to suggest a name for one of two huge cranes.
Project director Glen Cooper then surprised the centre with an early Christmas present of $400.
Laing O’Rourke is building the hospital’s new clinical services building in stage one of the $324 million hospital expansion program.
Coolamon director Nicole Lafferty said the children had been watching construction progress all year and were very excited to take part in the naming competition.
“We are very grateful for its donation and for getting the kids involved in the building project,’’ she said.
‘‘The children love watching the trucks and cranes at work, and the toy crane will be a big drawcard in the play area.
‘‘We’re hoping to use the donation for new bikes for our outdoor bike track,†she said.
Laing O’Rourke’s region director Nick Luzar said the company was very proud to be partnering with important community organisations like the Coolamon Child Care Centre.
“As part of our sustainability program we are committed to leaving positive legacies where we work and we look forward to working closely with the Blacktown community over the coming years,†he said.