Support Kids Day 2003

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, today encouraged parents to consider making their toy purchases this week in support of Kids Day 2003.

“An Australian Toy Association initiative, Kids Day raises money for children’s charities by participating toy retailers donating a percentage of their sales of toys during the week Sunday 1st June to Saturday 7th June.

“Over the past four years over $1.2 million has been raised through Kids Day for donation to a number of children’s charities. For Kids Day 2003, money raised during the week will be donated to Humour Foundation’s ‘Clown Doctors’.

“The Humour Foundation’s Clown Doctors are dedicated to providing humour to children in hospitals as a vehicle for rehabilitation. They lighten the serious side of a stay in hospital and bring much needed support, fun and laughter to ill children.

“Playtime is a very important in a child’s early development. Research tells us that quality educational toys are great tools parents can use to foster learning and interact with their children.

“Being a parent of a young family, I know how much fun children get out of toys. I also know that there is a vast range of choice and they are not always inexpensive. I encourage parents to make their toy purchases this week to support this very worthy cause.

“I also congratulate the Australian Toy Association for this initiative to support Australian children,” Mr Anthony said.

Kids Day 2003 is sponsored by Fisher Price, Hasbro and Lego. Participating retailers are Big W, Grace Bros, Myer, Target, Toy Kingdom, Toys R Us and Toyworld.