General News
16 August, 2023
Funds raised for aged care outings
ABERLEA residents will be out and about in their new bus thanks to the generosity of the community.
ABERLEA residents will be out and about in their new bus thanks to the generosity of the community.
The 12-seat, wheelchair-accessible bus was picked up earlier this month after more than a year of fundraising.
Aberlea chief executive officer David Knight said he had been overwhelmed by the amount of support the community had shown.
“It really showed the level of support there is for Aberlea in this community,” he said.
“We were shocked and very thankful to be able to raise they money as easily and quickly as we did.
“The bus is fitted with everything we need, two wheelchair lifts, accessibility steps and all the right hoists, so it’s fit for purpose.”
In appreciation of the community’s efforts, Aberlea will be hosting an official unveiling of the bus on Friday, August 25 at 2.30pm.
The event will give staff and residents the opportunity to show their appreciation to those in the community who have supported them.
“We’re looking forward to thanking the community personally,” Mr Knight said.
“Through COVID-19 restrictions we basically were not allowed to have volunteers in place, so this is a great opportunity to relaunch Aberlea to the community.
“We may even be able to generate some interest from people willing to volunteer their time because this is essentially a reopening to the community as we build back some of the connections we lost during COVID-19.”
As Western District Newspapers reported in July last year, Aberlea had sought community support in raising the remaining $19,000 needed towards the purchase of the bus.
A number of businesses, including Mortlake Roadhouse raising $1368.60 through 30 cent donations from each potato cake sold the month prior, were quick to jump on board in support.
“Nearly all the funds in the end were raised by the community, and even the funds we tipped in ourselves came from a fund we had set up for previous donations,” Mr Knight said.
“Essentially, we didn’t have to dip in to Aberlea operating funds in any way, shape or form.”
Aberlea director of care and operations Leonie Kelly said the dedication of the community would help residents experience a better quality of life.
“Being such a small community it’s fantastic that businesses and individuals alike have got behind us,” she said.
“The bus will be used for lifestyle, to get our residents out and about in the community.
“They will be able to go around to picnics, go out for coffee, and even just out for drives on a rainy day.
“It’s nice to be able to get out for a drive and see some fresh green grass.”
Remaining active and engaged is a vital aspect of aged care, with isolation and loneliness increasing the risk of individuals developing physical and mental illness.
“For mental health and good wellbeing, getting out in the sunshine is important,” Ms Kelly said.
“A lot of elderly people lack that because they don’t get to go out as often as they should.
“It’s going to be nice to get out there, I’m looking forward to going for a drive with them and spend some time with our residents out of the building.”
In addition, Mr Knight said Aberlea was also exploring its options to potentially make the bus available for hire when not in use by Aberlea, giving community groups an opportunity to host their own outings.
