WHERE there is a need, there is a Lion, and nowhere is that more true than at Tully and Mission Beach.
The Tully and Mission Beach Lions Clubs have once again put their fundraising might to good use, and provided two electric lift recliners for the Tully Hospital. The two chairs were provided at a cost of $5475 for the 12 bed Tully Hospital.
Tully Club secretary Irene Braddick said the Club has previously provided furniture for the hospital’s mental health unit, quilts to new mothers at the hospital. “This is our local hospital and where there is a need, there is a Lion,” Ms Braddick said. Fundraising occurs via selling tickets at the goose club on Friday nights for meat trays, a stall at the Tully Show, and their annual Christmas Raffle. “We along with our colleagues at Tully, also donated 10 High Back Day Chairs to Tully Hospital a couple of years ago at a cost of more than $3000,” she said.
Mission Beach Lions Club spokesman Des Roberts said their fundraising efforts include collecting aluminium cans and old car batteries, as well as raffles, barbecues, sausage sizzles and an annual charity golf day. “Once the decision was made to purchase by Mission Beach Lions Club, we contacted our colleagues at Tully Lions Club who readily agreed to split the funding 50/50,” Mr Roberts said.
“The reason for buying the chairs was made after consultation with the therapy department at Tully Hospital as to what equipment they needed to make life better for their patients, along the lines of our philosophy of serving our community (The Lions Motto is “We Serve”),” he said.
Tully Hospital acting director of nursing Sue Williams said some patients have difficulty/discomfort spending all night in bed it is so good to offer them a comfortable option. “We like to encourage people to get up and sit out of bed, it is important for their recovery and now it will be much better with a comfortable option. We have nothing similar so it is a huge benefit to our clients,” Ms Williams said.
Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation CEO Tony Franz said it was very pleasing to see two Lions Clubs join forces to support the improvement of health care in their local community and their combined donation to the Foundation was very much appreciated.
For further information, to donate or volunteer for the Foundation visit www.fnqhf.org.au
Photo: Back left to right: Des Roberts of Mission Beach Lions Club, occupational therapist Alison Salleras, Tully Lions Club’s Martin Braddick. Seated: physiotherapist Karen Hawkins, Tully Lions Club’s Irene Braddick
