Kind-hearted Queenslanders have dug deeper than ever before to donate a record $1.5 million to this year’s Mater Giving Day.

Every dollar raised during yesterday’s 24-hour fundraiser will go towards supporting Queensland patients and their families through new equipment, cutting-edge medical research and vital support services.

Each dollar raised was tripled by Mater’s matching donors, sending the day’s total soaring past the $932,000 raised in 2021.

Mater Foundation Executive Director Andrew Thomas said he was amazed by Queensland’s response to the Giving Day appeal.

“Queenslanders have been hit by COVID-19, storms and floods this year — but none of that has affected their readiness to help others,” Mr Thomas said.

“We asked Queenslanders to give whatever they could to support Mater’s patients, and they gave more than we had ever hoped.

“Right across our state, from Townsville to the Redlands, Queenslanders have backed Mater because they know we back the sick and vulnerable in their communities.

“And in a challenging year for all health workers, the amount of support Mater has been shown is a real boost for everyone on the frontline of patient care.”

Mater is the largest not-for-profit healthcare provider in Queensland, with hospitals in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, the Redlands, Springfield, and South Brisbane.

Its South Brisbane campus is home to the southern hemisphere’s largest maternity service at Mater Mothers’ Hospital, as well as Mater Hospital Brisbane and Mater Private Hospital Brisbane.

Money from last year’s Giving Day appeal was used to fund dozens of extra services, items of equipment and research projects across Mater, including additional physiotherapy support for breast cancer patients; an ENT navigation system for complex sinus surgery; robotic surgery equipment to improve patient rehabilitation times; and a study exploring the use of synthetic drugs to combat gut inflammatory diseases in young people.

Funds were also allocated to supporting bereaved families and patients experiencing financial hardship during treatment.

More Giving Day donations are expected this week and members of the public can still give at www.materfoundation.org.au.