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Making a difference in our community
The Gold Coast Community Fund as of March 2013 has provided over One million, three hundred thousand dollars in grants to helped people in our community to enjoy a more fulfilling life.
The Gold Coast Community Fund has provided grants for such things as wheelchairs, walking aids, adaptive equipment for the blind and vision impaired, rescue equipment, assisted with travel for families needing to attend Brisbane hospitals for long term treatment and grants for many other types of assistive devices and equipment including busses for transporting people who are disabled and who need to travel to hospital for long term treatment.
Here are some of the letters that have been sent to the Gold Coast Community Fund.
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Andrew
My son Andrew was born blind. He's 11 years old now. We didn't find out he was totally blind until he was 4 months old. It was a shock! Unfortunately, our journey has led us to see that when it comes to education, it's not exactly equal to what is available for sighted children. Fortunately, though, we found the Gold Coast Community Fund. I first saw an article for the Gold Coast Community Fund in the Bulletin where they were helping people who were blind with equipment. I ripped that article out and kept it in my wallet. A couple of years later when I didn't know how I was going to get specialised equipment for Andrew, I found this article in a corner of my wallet. Excellent, I thought, I'll give it a try! I rang the Gold Coast Community Fund and between Col and George, they made me feel that Andrew was going to be okay. I cannot express to you how much of a relief it is for parents who have a child with a disability to finally find someone who can and will help. The Gold Coast Community Fund have been funding computer lessons with George for Andrew every week for three hours for the last few months. When Andrew first started, he could only turn his computer on and open a word document. Children his age were surfing the net, you tubing, face booking and emailing each other, along with doing their assignments. Andrew could not do this. George has now taught Andrew how to navigate his computer, use programs and applications on his computer with confidence and navigate the internet. If there's a problem with his computer, George is teaching him how to fix it! Andrew now loves his computer and loves to use it. Where would Andrew be without George? I shudder to think I have to say. All children need to know how to use modern technology, it doesn't' matter if they are blind or not. All children need it now and will definitely need it in the future for education and beyond in their chosen careers. George is more to Andrew than just his ?computer teacher'. George is also blind and the absolute perfect person to teach Andrew about computers and how to use them effectively. George understands how to teach but he also understands how to teach a child who is blind. He's also a role model to Andrew, and one that we are thankful for. Thank you George and thank you The Gold Coast Community Fund. Regards, Sandie Menzies.
(Click here to watch a video of Andrew using his computer)
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Matilda
Dear Gold Coast Community Fund,
We would like to thank you for your amazing support and financial help with the purchase of our daughters new supportive chair. Matilda has Cerebral Palsy, this means the simple things that we take for granted are a struggle for Matilda, like sitting, crawling, walking, talking and using her hands. Matilda requires the help of equipment like a walker & wheelchair to get around, standing frame, supportive chair's for sitting etc. The cost of equipment is extremely expensive and unaffordable to most families but with the assistance from The Gold Coast Community Fund and all the amazing people in our local community that support the GCCF Matilda is now sitting up tall and proud in her very own chair that she takes to school and uses at home. She sits inclusively with all her friends at school doing the same activities as they do. Without the good people at the GCCF I really dont know what we would have done, you have put a very big smile on a little girl's face and for that we are ever so greatful.
It is by far the best supportive chair we have come across and is working really well.
The Wilson's. |
Gold Coast Project for Homeless Youth
The sports package donated by the Gold Coast Community Fund was shared among our 3 houses. Each house received 3 bikes, new table tennis bats and accessories, footballs and basketballs. The bikes, especially, make a great difference to the lives of the young people in our care. They are now able to independently attend appointments, go to work or school, do a bit of shopping, etc. This is great training for these young people as it teaches them responsibility, rather than depending on our youth workers to provide transport. The Gold Coast Project for Homeless Youth is very grateful to the Gold Coast Community Fund for this generous donation. Kind regards Kate Amand Administration Manager |
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George Vorkas
George has spent his 44 years with only 2% sight and has struggled with everyday tasks such as reading the mail or getting a jar from the pantry. The Gold Coast Community Fund has changed his life with the purchase of a $5029 ClearNote+ magnifier. Here's some of what George had to say in a letter:
"I have around 2% vision and have never seen beyond the approx 1m blurry, cloudy field of vision that I have. Due to the magnifier having a camera lens that you can zoom in on objects at a distance, I have for the first time been able to see things up to 30mts away. This is an experience I cannot find words to describe to you, apart from saying wow!! I am each day using the magnifier more and more and it has become such a useful tool for me that I now can't imagine my life without it. Again I want to express my eternal gratitude to you all and everyone involved with the Gold Coast Community Fund for making this possible for me. Thank you all for being there and doing what you do." |
Jack Lenehan
Here's what Jack's mum had to say: We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the members and supporters of the Gold Coast Community Fund who raised $10,000 towards Jacks wheelchair. Jack's life has changed so much, its quite difficult to find the words to explain the squeals of delight when he is able to get down and amongst things. He is consistently figuring out new ways of getting around. We are able to do so much more with his outdoor play and learning. The support this chair provides for Jack and his weak muscles is indescribable, we are able to do many more things throughout the day without the usual time frame of fatigue. This chair has already bought so many smiles to his face, he can now be more involved with everything and sometime I feel that he has no limitations in his chair because of its mechanism.Thank you, thank you, thank you, for helping us.
Brilliant Bailey
Letter from Tiffany and Bailey
Bailey and I wish to thank you for funding Bailey's custom made tray for his power chair. Bailey is a fragile boy who has very limited movement and this tray has given him some independence by supporting his arms and enabling him to work his ipad touch with minmum assistance from others. He is now able to complete his school work, browse the internet, access his face book, listen to music, download audio books etc. All the stuff 11 year olds love to do.
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