Mackellar Care Services has officially launched two new wheelchair-friendly buses to give greater freedom to residents at Alkira and Lundie House.
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The launch took place in the car park of the Lundie campus, with chair of the board, John Perkins, cutting the white ribbon.
During the launch, Mr Perkins and chief executive officer, Sandra Strong, recounted the major effort over two years to fundraise more than $90,000 after attempts to gain a grant were unsuccessful.
“The decision has been to get on and get these buses now, so we can help the residents,” Mrs Strong said.
Mr Perkins said the board decided to “bite the bullet” and began shopping for a bus, negotiating with a number of companies to find the best fit.
Key factors in the choice of the 10-seater Mercedes buses were their width, height, accessibility and a requirement of only a car licence for drivers.
Mrs Strong thanked the financial contributors, which included the Gunnedah Rotary Club, Upper Namoi Cotton Growers and Friends of the Nursing Home. Bequeaths also contributed.
“This has really been an organisational fundraising effort and a community fundraising effort,” she said.
Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey represented both the Gunnedah Shire Council and Rotary at the launch.
“The purchase of these two new buses will support the philosophy of Mackellar Care to live, laugh and enjoy the journey of life,” he said.
“The buses will benefit residential care, respite care and community care programs. The residents will have access to a wide range of community activities, events and the ability to visit local sites.”
Among the residents to benefit is Lundie’s Joyce Brooks who was the first to be loaded onto a bus in a wheelchair, a gesture which honoured her contribution of more than $200 through her small jewellery-making business.
Mrs Brooks said the buses were “beautiful” and she was pleased with the height of the seats. A number of other residents including Lorraine Grosser were also strapped in to go on a joy ride downtown.
Mackellar Care is still striving towards its goal of $210,000, so the purchase of the buses can be covered completely by fundraising.