(14-03-17) Fundraising Underway

The Bundaberg Health Services Foundation has launched a new fundraising campaign to assist in the expansion work underway at Rotary Lodge.

North Burnett communities are the major users of the Lodge and we want to continue supporting you.

Building is being done to expand the garage to cater for the increasing number of patients seeking accommodation during treatment.

Since opening five years ago, and moving onsite to Bundaberg Hospital two years ago, it has welcomed 5376 people making it their home-away-from-home. We have also supported 554 to the Mater Hospital accommodation units due to the Lodge being at capacity (under the Foundation’s auspices).

A naming rights campaign, to cover the estimated $160,000 cost, is underway once again and those communities which raise the top four amounts will permanently have one of the new rooms named in that town’s honour.

While this is a large expense, the Foundation believes that supporting people, particularly those in the North Burnett, is of major importance to our mission in helping patients.

The five bedroom house is able to accommodate 12 people at a time but there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people staying with expansion of Bundaberg Hospital services and people accessing cancer services at not only the new Cancer Care Unit but also Roc’s Oncology. These people are usually here for up to seven weeks.

The garage will be converted to house another four bedrooms with shared kitchen, dining and bathroom facilities.

As many of you know the Lodge is a much-needed support to patients and carers during stressful medical times.

Bundaberg community groups, the North Burnett Regional Council, North Burnett service clubs, individuals and community groups have been active donors since its inception.

Donations will be tallied up to September 30 and at an open day in October the room names will be unveiled.

CAN YOU HELP A PATIENT IN NEED?

People not involved in a community organisation but would still like to make individual donation can do so with $40 helping a patient, $60 assisting a patient and carer and $100 funding a family. A recognition board of donors will be placed in the new extension and all donations are tax deductible.

Cheques should be made payable to the Bundaberg Health Services Foundation, PO Box 34, Bundaberg Q 4670 or telephone 4150 2863.