Both the sick and elderly in Gayndah will be able to stay in touch with their loved ones thanks to a $9,610 Grassroots Community Grant from Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland.
Gayndah Hospital and Gunther Village were jointly awarded the grant after they were put forward for the funding by the local Freemasons.
Patients at the 10-bed hospital will have the option of having a loved one stay with them, in an adjacent room, now that a new $3,399 leather sofa bed has been purchased. Similarly, aged care residents at Gunther Village will stay in contact with friends and family using iPad technology, after the 52-bed facility was able to purchase eight new tablets and six stands with $6,211.
Gayndah Freemasons Lodge representative Bill Turner said they were proud to accelerate the two initiatives that, at their core were about improving people’s mental health and wellbeing when they are in a vulnerable state.
“Whether it’s an elderly patient or young child that has fallen ill, a relative or parent will be able to stay onsite at the local hospital which is a good thing,” Mr Turner said.
“As for the residents at Gunther Village, it has been especially difficult for them to interact with friends and family over the past few months due to COVID-19 and this is likely to be the case for some time yet, so this technology will enable them to maintain these connections.”
Hand Heart Pocket Chief Executive Officer Gary Mark said the Freemason charity was pleased to provide this extra assistance.
“We are appreciative of the Gayndah Freemasons for identifying these needs in their community and nominating the two organisations for the grant,” Gary said.
“This year we received a greater number of applications with a large geographical spread, particularly in regional Queensland. Fifteen charities shared in almost $120,000 as part this year’s Community Grants round.
“Although the grant round was oversubscribed, we wanted to make sure we maximised our support at a time the community needed it the most. Among the causes we’ve been able to support are youth at risk, our ageing population, men’s mental and physical health, and women’s financial and physical security.”
The grant was announced amid the Freemason charity providing over $750,000 in emergency support and Grassroots Community Grants in the wake of COVID-19.
Photo: Gayndah Freemasons Lodge representative Bill Turner (second from left).
