New Support Fund Launched in Honour of RAH Social Worker

TGB and the Julian Burton Burns Trust have launched a new fund dedicated to supporting patients, their families and social workers at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

The Chris Rainsford Legacy Fund is named in honour of the highly respected and much loved social worker who sadly lost his life to cancer in 2014.

[Picture: Chris Rainsford]

Mr Rainsford had spoken of his dream to create a fund to cover urgent, practical costs for patients and their families (such as parking and transport), and also support the professional development of social workers at the RAH.

Following Chris’ death, his friends Julian Burton OAM (Burns Trust) and Tim White (Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers) decided to turn the dream into a reality.

“Chris’ life had a positive impact on many, at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and beyond,” Mr White said.

“We thought that launching his fund, complete with his iconic hat as the logo, was the perfect way to continue his legacy.”

Mr Burton, who survived the Bali bombings in 2002, said the support staff at the RAH helped him through his darkest days.

“In the days, weeks and sometimes months spent in hospital, the social workers and psychologists play an important role in guiding you through the ups and downs,” he said.

“Being able to re-invest into their amazing work, as well as help solve immediate needs for patients and their families, is something we hope Chris would’ve been proud to put his name to.”

Chris Rainsford Legacy Fund:

– Covers urgent costs for patients and their families (eg parking, transport)

– Provides professional development grants for Social workers and Psychologists at the RAH several times throughout the year (eg attendances at interstate conferences)

Chris’ wife Tracey Rainsford (holding poster) with Burns Trust, TGB and RAH staff at the launch of the Chris Rainsford Legacy Fund.