Sick Bay of Plenty children have been given a $70,086 boost thanks to the annual Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal.

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board and Countdown have partnered for the appeal over the last eight years, with health board CEO Phil Cammish saying that Countdown's support was truly valued.

Countdown Central North Island Operations Manager Ryan McMullen and BOP District Health Board Chief Executive Phil Cammish. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

Speaking during the cheque presentation at Bureta Park Countdown, Tauranga, Phil says: 'It's an amazing contribution every year and this year is no different.

'These tremendous fundraising efforts allow the DHB to purchase those extras, those items that can add either extra clinical capability or, just as importantly, items which make a child's stay in hospital more pleasant.”

The appeal sees fundraising events and initiatives held over a three-month period across the Bay of Plenty, as well as food companies donating a percentage of their profits from products sold in local stores.

Countdown Group Manager Phil Guilford says he is pleased to say everything on the BOPDHB's wish list for 2015 had been purchased.

He says during next year's appeal, he wants to establish even greater links with the hospital and gain a better understanding of any additional areas where the campaign might be able to help.

This year's money will go towards a broad range of equipment, says BOPDHB Midwifery Leader Margret Norris.

'It's for the sick children and babies in our hospitals in Tauranga and Whakatane and also for our children in the community,” says Margret.

'The extra funding allows us to buy more and cover a larger range of children.”

This year's purchases include a machine which regulates the administering of pain relief to children admitted to the Emergency Department and a vital signs patient monitoring machine with ECG connection.

Further purchases were seated weighing scales, an X-ray unit and a dental cart with a dental light.

The equipment helps children across the entire Bay of Plenty District Health Board district, which stretches from Waihi Beach in the north-west to Whangaparaoa on the East Cape and inland to the Urewera, Kaimai and Mamaku ranges.

These boundaries take in the major population centres of Tauranga, Katikati, Te Puke, Whakatane, Kawerau and Opotiki.