Katrina Flinn presents a project update on The Evolution of the Care Pack Project, whereby recreational equipment is being provided to Upton House.As advised in the B
ulletin some weeks ago, Rotary Hawthorn has recently begun a new project to supply recreational equipment for the inpatients of Upton House. This is an exciting extension of the care pack project. The minimal equipment that is already at Upton House is in a sub-standard condition. The staff say that having activities to do assists in the patients’ recovery buts public hospitals just don’t have the funding for this equipment.
ulletin some weeks ago, Rotary Hawthorn has recently begun a new project to supply recreational equipment for the inpatients of Upton House. This is an exciting extension of the care pack project. The minimal equipment that is already at Upton House is in a sub-standard condition. The staff say that having activities to do assists in the patients’ recovery buts public hospitals just don’t have the funding for this equipment.The hospital staff have asked if the following new or second-hand items in great condition could be donated to the mental health ward:
A guitar, a table tennis table, a treadmill, two exercise bikes and a three-quarter size pool table (or restoration of their current table)
Thus far we have been able to source a donated guitar (Denbigh Richards is going to restring and tune and deliver to Upton House, thanks Denbigh!) and an exercise bike (facilitated via an organisation called GiveIT).
We then applied and have had approved a Rotary Australia Compassionate Grant (RACG) These grants have been made possible by a $1,000,000 donation to Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) by philanthropist, Dick Smith.
The Club is required to match the grant funds $ for $. The project will be scaled depending on the amount that we have in matched funds.
Would you like to support the recreational equipment project financially?
Tax-deductible donations can be made to the recreational equipment project via the following webpage.
What else can you do to assist?
Via an organisation called Good360, we have been able to secure a donation clothing of a significant amount of clothing from Big W. We need help in sorting this clothing. Please let me know if you would like to be part of this team to sort this clothing. These clothes will be delivered over the coming months to the mental health patients that don’t have basic clothing.
In summary:
Rotary clubs are all about fostering community spirit and making a difference. The care pack and the recreational equipment project are certainly making a difference to those that in many cases are feeling isolated, vulnerable or disadvantaged.
As members and friends of Rotary Hawthorn you should be very proud of these projects!
For more information contact Denbigh Richards or Katrina Flinn