The Lions Club of Kiama has received a funding boost from the state government to help them establish a respite home for carers and their families in Kiama.
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Member for Kiama Gareth Ward presented the $40,000 cheque to club representatives on Thursday.
“When Kiama Lions raised this project with me – I was determined to help them deliver on this outstanding community project which will make a real difference in people’s lives,” Mr Ward said.
“Having followed my Dad into Lions membership, I know of the many great community projects which Lions is involved with locally and this is yet another terrific example of Lions working together to help those in need of care.
“There are literally thousands of dedicated carers across our region and it is only fair that we develop avenues of support and respite for them to continue to do their valuable and incredible work,” Mr Ward said.
Jerry Granger-Holcombe from the Lions Club of Kiama said the project was being supported by both Minnamurra and Gerringong Lions.
“This was an idea of Kiama Lions past President Ray Redgrave who thought what a great idea for it would be for the old Kiama cottage to be used as a respite centre for sick people, carers and families,” he said.
“He formed a small team including myself, Peter Scifleet and Tony Grainger and we realised that carers seem to be often forgotten during their care of sick children or other loved ones.
“We thought it would be a great opportunity to give them a break by the seaside. As many of these carers are on carers allowance and cannot afford expensive holidays.”
The footprint of the building will remain the same, however the exterior and interior of the building will take on an entirely new look.
“It will include ramps and decks outside but through Madeleine Scarfe’s innovative design we have got three ensuite bedrooms and the building itself will be wheelchair complaint in one of the bathrooms,” Mr Granger-Holcombe said.
“Gregory’s Scaffolding have kindly donated their scaffolding for this project and we have received a number of offers of support from local businesses and suppliers.
“We are also very grateful to our local MP Gareth Ward who has facilitated this $40,000 grant funding which will help us out enormously with this project.”
Susan Wallis, who is the chairperson of Interchange Illawarra, a respite organisation providing support for people living between Helensburgh and Kiama, said up to 600 carers in the area could access the home.
“People who are caring for loved ones with a disability can find it really hard to get a break either physically get a break from a time perspective but also financially,” she said.
“Having a purpose built home in a lovely location will be such a wonderful opportunity, particularly for people coming from other parts of the state where our beautiful beaches are not available to them.
“I love the fact it is an accessible property, because you can have carers who have a disability or you could have carers bringing a person with a disability with them in some instances, so the fact it is wheelchair accessible is just exceptional.
“I’m blown away by the support of the Kiama community and the amount of sweat equity and donations that have been put into this project.”