Brick Expo makes donations to Canberra Hospital Foundation

Lego is not just for kids. Adult fans of Lego are also heading to Canberra on mass for this year’s Brick Expo.

Brick Expo is an annual Lego exhibition held here in Canberra to give local and visiting fans a chance to show off their mastery in the Lego arts.

Each year the exhibition changes as builders come up with new and interesting models.

This year’s event will feature Australia’s largest collection of Lego monorail as well as trains and model cities, some Canberra Landmarks and even animatronic dinosaurs.

Since 2010, Brick Expo has been donating the proceeds of the annual event to the Canberra Hospital Foundation for use in the Paediatrics wards of the hospital.

Last year, the Brick Expo committee, together with the Canberra Lego User Group (CLUG) constructed an enormous Lego clown fish mosaic. The mosaic was built by members of the Canberra community in the main foyer of the National Museum of Australia.

The mosaic is made up over 55,000 individual Lego elements and now hangs in the Paediatric Outpatient Waiting room, alongside a tank-style display of Lego built clown fish swimming over a reef.

The most recent Brick Expo 2016 donation of $65,000 was directed to the Birthing Suite for the purchase of a software and hardware upgrade for ten CTG (continuous Cardiotocographic) machines.

These machines are essential pieces of equipment during labour, enabling the midwife to listen to the baby’s heartbeat and detect if the baby is becoming distressed or not getting enough oxygen.

This upgrade will greatly benefit the hospital, and provide the latest technology to mothers during their pregnancy. 2016’s donation brought the running total to $300,000.

In addition to all this, Brick Expo, together with Lego Australia, recently donated dozens of Lego Sets to the ward to be used by patients to assist with passing time while at the ward, waiting for treatments or in recovery.

“It always strikes me how Lego puts a smile on the face of even the sickest patient at the hospital, regardless of gender or age” said Brick Expo chair, David Boddy.

“So when Lego Australia asked if we could find a home for some sets they wished to donate to a good cause, it was a no-brainer”

Mr Boddy went on to say that “The relationship with the Canberra Hospital Foundation is an ongoing one, we are pleased to support the great work they do here.”

The 2017 Canberra Brick Expo is on from August 11 to 13 at the Hellenic Club in Woden.

Tickets are on sale now and only available from www.brickexpo.com.au.