12 Mar The Christian OConnell Breakfast Show
Christian O’Connell and the team at 104.3 are committed to creating a community that both encourages interaction and collaboration and shows respect for others. We are raising awareness for Smart Pups Assistance Dogs, a not-for-profit organisation based in Queensland, Providing assistance dogs to children with special needs. Trained in task-specific skills, Smart Pups improve children’s independence and quality of life. This unique form of early intervention therapy has a profound effect on the day-to-day lives of children and families… making a positive change that keeps growing. For life.
Christian O’Connell is a husband, a dad, a dog-lover, a football fan and is pretty good at martial arts. He’s also written the best-selling children’s book series Radio Boy!
Smart Pups Assistance Dogs receive no government funding and rely solely on donations, grants and fundraising activities. You can help. Your donation will be greatly appreciated no matter how big or small. This organisation is a non for-profit organisation. The training for a pup can take 12-18 months but it is intense, and these dogs are just incredible.
Thank you for your donation! All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Anna Howe
Posted at 08:06h, 14 MarchBecause every little bit helps
Aaron Brown
Posted at 08:08h, 14 March😁
Paula Simon
Posted at 08:37h, 14 MarchGood luck for getting a pup.
Kris Cleeve
Posted at 08:40h, 14 MarchGreat cause.
Kathleen Wedgwood
Posted at 08:53h, 14 MarchThis is a worthy cause that appears to have impacted so many people generating a real community “esprit de corps”.
The way that Christian has spoken about every donation, however small, as being important has also contributed to that feeling.
Ian McColl
Posted at 09:08h, 14 MarchTo help those in need! – Every little bit helps 😁
Nikki Palmer
Posted at 09:33h, 14 MarchMy nephew back in UK was diagnosed ADHD over 20years ago and as a family who have always had dogs, I am acutely aware how much benefit just a family pet has been to him, these pups are so needed for these kids -keep up the good work
Gail Wright
Posted at 10:05h, 14 MarchBecause you only gave Patrick a mug. 🤗
Saeed Mahdizadeh
Posted at 10:55h, 14 MarchThanks Christian for this lovely initiative… Just a little bit involvement from me while listening to gold every morning for almost 10 years after moving to Australia…this became my favourite…
Keep on the good work. Saeed
Meghan Skinner
Posted at 10:58h, 14 MarchI wanted to donate as l have a foster child Shannon who is also on the spectrum and many other issues and this story and what you are doing is amazing. I decided to foster a child as so many kids out there just need a go and decided to take one with special needs as they are the hardest to place and normally just get moved over and over and it is so rewarding but so so hard every day.
Jodie Plowright
Posted at 11:02h, 14 MarchFantastic cause!
The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show
Posted at 15:24h, 14 MarchThank you to our listener Patrick who donated an incredible 10,000 dollars to Smart Pups. This money will be used to help another family in need by also gifting them with a beautiful puppy.
When Patrick dropped into the Gold studio yesterday he told Christian and the team that he “has everything he needs in life. So helping another in need is the best thing to do” its all about paying it forward.
Jodie Comerford
Posted at 15:49h, 14 MarchSometimes everyone needs a little help ❤️
Frances O'Neill
Posted at 16:20h, 14 MarchWe are desperate for a pup. Two children on spectrum and single mama (me) going through diagnosis. It’s for my little girl she’s 11 and non verbal.
steven bextream
Posted at 16:27h, 14 MarchPlease consider the family who fell short of raising the money so donated to the lady child. It would be good karma.
DEBRA-ROSE SPITERI
Posted at 19:12h, 14 MarchJust making my small contribution towards a great cause. I was really touched by Christian and the Goldfm team, well done! Why not help if we can, whatever the cause maybe one day it maybe me. Lets keep this going.
Jamie Trendall
Posted at 19:16h, 14 MarchSuch an incredible story. I hope this helps another little child like Rheegan.
Neal Winter
Posted at 19:52h, 14 MarchCan’t spare much but hoping every little bit helps. Lots of little bits will soon add up.
Lorelle Scarlett
Posted at 20:39h, 14 MarchI listened to the Tuesday and Wednesday podcasts back to back while driving to pick up stock today.
OMG! I had to pull over at one stage as the tears were flowing, I don’t know what people at sets of lights thought, lol.
I had to give something, I have been so moved.
Cheers to all 🙂
Barry Newbery
Posted at 21:19h, 14 MarchThe amazing story and anything that helps autistic children and parents is to be supported
Marek Crawford
Posted at 05:24h, 15 MarchI’m donating cause if it was my children hope someone else would help them
Mary Maguire
Posted at 05:26h, 15 MarchLove what you’re doing for others Christian.
Jordan Higham
Posted at 05:26h, 15 MarchJust a golden hour listener every morning
Toni McKern
Posted at 05:26h, 15 MarchPaying it forward. We all need support
Kelvin Kalms
Posted at 05:26h, 15 MarchMy donation is only a small amount I know but I couldn’t listen to these stories and do nothing.
Sezgin Atar
Posted at 05:27h, 15 MarchLike to help out
Jayden Bubb
Posted at 05:28h, 15 MarchNot just donating because I’m apart of the Bubb family and the little girl is my sister but to give the opportunity to the next person in line. Everyone deserves a little easier in life with something they can’t help. Cheers Gold you legends.
Glenn Bainbridge
Posted at 05:30h, 15 MarchFor the family who gave the money they had raised to another family.
Julia F
Posted at 05:30h, 15 MarchI was too slow to help Rheegan so happy to still be able chip in for next pup
Janeen and Steve Cole
Posted at 05:38h, 15 MarchHow could we not do for one that we did or another. Happy to contribute to this very worthy cause. We were very humbled by the family who donated their savings to Reagan. Just goes to show the heart of some people doesn’t it. Good luck everyone. I only hope there more more people with hearts the size of theirs. I hope you can read this.. coz I cant. Have the wrong glasses on for this stuff.
Dom Cannizzaro
Posted at 05:38h, 15 MarchSmart dogs are a gift from god,. The love, the friendship that these incredible puppies will bring to these deserving children, is a true blessing!
Katrina Wiley
Posted at 05:40h, 15 MarchI’m donating, as it’s an amazing cause that provides the help needed to improve people’s lives. Helping others just makes you feel a better person!
Shaun Thompson
Posted at 05:41h, 15 MarchA selfless act deserves rewarding
Toby Rickman
Posted at 05:48h, 15 MarchI am 11. I have saved up a bit of my pocket money to give for something. I am up at 6 in the morning to catch the bus and heard it mentioned on the radio in my room and thought this was the good time to do it. Good luck collecting the money!
Marilla Mason
Posted at 05:49h, 15 MarchSo someone else can have an opportunity of a meaningful life. Many people helped me when i was younger to achieve what I have. I’m just giving back
Carol & Kim Temple
Posted at 05:50h, 15 MarchDonated with pleasure ❤️
Toby R
Posted at 05:56h, 15 MarchI am 11. I have been saving some of my pocket money to donate. This morning, I woke at 6 to get the bus to school and heard about this and thought it sounded like a good thing to donate the money for. Good luck getting the dog!
Helen Rintoul
Posted at 05:56h, 15 MarchI hope this helps someone
Christa Purdie
Posted at 06:15h, 15 MarchThis is such a beautiful cause. Thank you for raising awareness of smart pups!
Karyn Lemon
Posted at 06:19h, 15 MarchBest wishes to Regan and Isabella
Claire Walker
Posted at 06:22h, 15 MarchSo touched by the stories of Rheegan and Isobel. I really want to play my part and help!
Lauren Redeman
Posted at 06:22h, 15 Marchi work with animals and understand their healing and comforting powers and just want to give what I can to help this child and family. Xx
Ellisa Cole
Posted at 06:23h, 15 MarchWhat a great cause!
Alison Brooker
Posted at 06:23h, 15 MarchSo glad Isabella will get this opportunity!
Shusannah Morris
Posted at 06:23h, 15 MarchAbsolutely love what you guys are doing with the power of the people we’ll get that pup for Isabella….xx
Angela McGillivray
Posted at 06:24h, 15 MarchGo Gold, get those dogs for those beautiful children.
Daniel Corrigan
Posted at 06:24h, 15 MarchAs a Goldfm listener, I was deeply touched when I heard about these very special children and how much assistance the fantastic dogs can be for them.
Neale & Jackie Chapman
Posted at 06:25h, 15 MarchFantastic initiative, missed out on donating initially glad to have the opportunity to help out another child. Bella’s story touched me personally as my mum is on a similar regimen of insulin and has had many hypos in her life. I know how fantastic that early warning would be.
Sharon White
Posted at 06:25h, 15 MarchDidn’t expect to be crying at 7:15am. Good luck Isabella.
Damian Cruickshank
Posted at 06:32h, 15 MarchI hope this puppy makes a massive difference to Isabella’s young life and just makes her life a better place… just an awesome clause Christian, thanks for sharing her story…
Shaun Enright
Posted at 06:36h, 15 MarchGood on you Gold for having such a big heart and good on you MELBOURNE it makes me feel proud
Naomi O’Donoghue
Posted at 06:38h, 15 MarchI couldn’t think of a better cause to donate to!! Well done Christian & Co!
Judy Aitken
Posted at 06:38h, 15 MarchOnly a small
Amount but hopefully will help this little
Girl achieve her goal
Kath Curry
Posted at 06:38h, 15 MarchI’ve seen the benefit these dogs can make to people’s lives. Amazing!
Jenny Lazzari
Posted at 06:42h, 15 MarchListening to some of the stories of people that have donated, the fact that my family were extremely poor when we were growing up and having first hand experience with a grandson who has autism (mild) the though that I can help in even a small way is rewarding for me. The fact that there are still so many good people that we don’t hear enough about makes me proud to be part of it all.
Tiff and Raf Villaluz
Posted at 06:42h, 15 MarchIt was so powerful for my husband to hear about Wayde and Isabella’s situation especially when Isabella told her father about the autistic boy and that she wanted to donate what they had saved up for their puppy to him! We weren’t fortunate enough to be able to have a child and if we had one we would do everything we could to improve their quality of life so hope our donation can assist in some way!
Noleen West
Posted at 06:44h, 15 MarchJust wanted to help
Lynne Matthews
Posted at 06:44h, 15 MarchGratitude for my healthy beautiful, grandchildren
MAREE SHELLY
Posted at 06:49h, 15 MarchEvery little girl should have a puppy…
Kathryn Bergroth
Posted at 06:50h, 15 MarchFantastic cause Gold 104.3 and so pleased we are all able to assist two children and their families to ensure their quality of life is better.
Brett Lucas
Posted at 06:51h, 15 MarchKeep up the good work 🙂
Debbie Dromi
Posted at 06:51h, 15 MarchGood work Gold!
Shane Carroll
Posted at 06:54h, 15 MarchI just love dogs and I think if it can make a difference to a human and a dog, well that’s just fantastic.
Emma Prato
Posted at 06:54h, 15 March😁
REBECCA EDWARDS
Posted at 06:56h, 15 MarchKarma…life is swings and roundabouts, you give, you get and the Aussie Spirit of mateship stays alive!
Linda Cheek
Posted at 06:57h, 15 March🙂
James Allitt
Posted at 07:00h, 15 MarchWhat a great cause! All the best with your smart puppies Rheegan and Isabella
Sergiu Mihai
Posted at 07:03h, 15 MarchI was impressed by the story of the 11 y.o. girl living with type 1 diabetes, and the daily struggles of her working family, related to this unforgiving illness. I do believe all of us, who are blessed in life by many things we take for granted, should pay something forward to people who could really use and need our help.
Alexis Zerbe
Posted at 07:04h, 15 MarchI’m a single mum of 2 great kids but without my 2 normal pups I’m not sure I would have made it this far they bring so much love into my life. The lest I can do is help get a special pup into one of these special kids life.
Donna Leahy
Posted at 07:06h, 15 MarchHi Guys, I am very grateful for everything in my life. I hit rock bottom 2 years ago almost losing my house, until the job I have now fell in my lap and I am able to donate $100.
Love and Light Donna
ADRIAN Penter
Posted at 07:19h, 15 MarchGood luck guys great job cheers
Gavan Taylor
Posted at 07:29h, 15 MarchI was extremely moved by these stories and whilst we all have daily challenges, they pale into insignificance when you hear of the challenges facing these kids and their families.
Leanne Gunstone
Posted at 07:30h, 15 MarchAn absolutely wonderful idea!!!
Tara Murnane
Posted at 07:35h, 15 MarchSuch a good cause and hopefully the parents of the type 1 diabetic girl can get some more rest!!
Nigel Harris
Posted at 07:36h, 15 MarchChildren shouldn’t have to suffer and any little thing we can do to improve their quality of life is worth the world to them.
Katrina Pryor
Posted at 07:38h, 15 MarchYou have brought tears to my eyes about the beautiful people still left in the world.
KAREN MULLINS
Posted at 07:41h, 15 MarchBECAUSE THEY NEED THE PUPPY
Steven Dunlop
Posted at 08:34h, 15 MarchAll for a good cause, every little bit counts
Karen Lloyd
Posted at 08:38h, 15 MarchHeard about this on 104.3 Christian O’Connell show
Daisy-May Creighton
Posted at 08:40h, 15 MarchAs somebody who works with children (and many with additional needs), I can see first hand just how fantastic this would be for a child who may be struggling. Thank you Christian for changing this little boy’s life.
Martyn Dunbar-Stuart
Posted at 09:18h, 15 MarchHappy to donate to a cause that can improve people’s lives. Also really hoping like some others on here that the child who didn’t raise enough with the parents that donated what they had raised to Reghan will be considered.
Robyn Wilson
Posted at 16:19h, 22 NovemberWhat a worthy cause!