The Manning Valley palliative care fundraising event held last Saturday was exceptionally successful, with organisers saying it shows clearly that community members not only want more resources devoted to care for end-of -life patients but are willing themselves to contribute and be involved.
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More than $16,000 was raised by the afternoon garden party – and more donations are still being received. This is more than twice what was raised in the initial fund-raiser held last year.
“We are delighted by this result, because these funds go straight to provide urgently needed home-care services,” said Judy Hollingworth, chair of the Manning Valley Push For Palliative (MV P4P) charity, which she founded two years ago.
More than 300 people attended the event, held at the picturesque home of Eugene and Marie O’Neill beside the Manning River at Bohnock.
Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead was on hand to officially open the garden party and congratulated those involved for their efforts in raising funds for palliative care.
“The electorate of Myall Lakes has the oldest average population and the incidence of dementia is one of the highest in the State – all leading to a growing demand for palliative care.
“As a former nurse, I know how important palliative care is, and I’m committed to continuing my support for this important work." Mr Bromhead said.
Dr David Keegan also spoke as a representative of the MidCoast Council, to which he has just been elected, and as a GP and concerned health care provider in Taree.
Acknowledging the funds raised and work being done by MV P4P, Dr Keegan said: “This community group is very important to supplement the resourcing of palliative care.
“We know that $25 million a year, for four years, has been promised for palliative care by the NSW Government. But this may be only a drop in the bucket, given what a need there is for palliative care.
Most people want to die at home, but only a very small number are able to, because of the huge gap in provision of home care.
- Dr David Keegan
“Most people want to die at home, but only a very small number are able to, because of the huge gap in provision of home care.”
Dr Keegan said it was gratifying to see the collaboration of government, both State and local, with community bodies such as MV P4P and local service clubs. “Working together we will be able to support and transform palliative care in our area.”
Judy Hollingworth added: “From the response to this event, we now know we have our priorities right, and our partnerships with health practitioners and with government are strong and sound.
“In 2018 at MV P4P we will be advocating strongly with the NSW Government for our community to be given a fair share of that $25 million per annum funding.”
$5000 cheque a heart-stopper
A heart-stopping moment for MV P4P chair Judy Hollingworth at Saturday’s garden party was when she was given a single cheque by a Taree couple – for $5000.
“I could hardly believe the level of generosity that this showed,” she said.
The cheque was from Carol and Barry Kempe.
The Kempes told Judy: “We made the donation because of how much we valued the palliative care given both to our daughter Cathy and to Barry’s mother.”
Their daughter was supported by the Great Lakes Hospice carers at Black Head during her final illness three years ago, and Barry’s mother was nursed in Newcastle’s Calvary Hospital palliative unit 10 years ago.
For further information contact Judy Hollingworth, chair of Manning Valley Push For Palliative, phone 0409 558 199, or email judy@globallearning.com.au
