THIS SPRING racing season Tweed residents are being asked to bet on Wedgetail Retreat who provide compassionate support and nursing palliative care to people with life-limiting illnesses.
The Giddy-Up Hospice Appeal is urging punters to donate online or at selected Melbourne Cup function venues this year.
The 24/7 hospice is not government funded and is the only adult community hospice in NSW. The hospice relies on community and corporate support to raise more than $500,000 each year that goes directly towards providing the award-winning nursing and trained volunteer carer hospice services.
Jasmine (Jaz) Larios, 23, came to the hospice for respite with her mother, Miriam.
Jaz had supported the Leukaemia Foundation for years when she was diagnosed with Leukaemia herself, and her dedicated support continued until she died.
Jaz loved nature and while staying at the hospice, she was asked what she wanted to do if the “sky was the limit”.
One of her deepest wishes was to “ride a horse”.
Gillian Cooper and charity President, Meredith Dennis, made her wish come true.
They travelled to Meredith’s property and took Jaz and her mum to meet gentle but cheeky Monty (pictured), a retired racehorse.
In response to the love and care that Jaz was given during her stay at the hospice she wrote, “There are no words in our collective selves to describe how wonderful you made us feel, the amazing experience we had and the beautiful love you give – it’s all been so unbelievable, was it all a dream? We consider ourselves blessed.”
“Ten dollars donated provides a hospice meal, an hour of professional nursing care is supported by a forty dollar donation, two hundred dollars plus will help to provide essential medical equipment and $500,000 would mean the world to us,” Meredith Dennis said.
Wedgetail Retreat community hospice is part of not-for-profit Tweed Palliative Support.
Together each year they help over 1200 people with a life-limiting illness and their families with their free or donation-based home and live-in hospice palliative care services.
Liza Nagy, Giddy-Up Hospice Appeal Project Manager added, “We are asking people and businesses that if they are placing a bet, having an office sweep or attending a Melbourne Cup function to also mention the Giddy-Up Hospice Appeal on their social media and to donate online at www.wedgetailretreat.com.au or in the money tins at selected Northern Rivers venues.
Any size donation is welcome. A Giddy-Up Hospice Appeal fundraising kit, web and print ready posters can also be downloaded from the website.