Funding for Hospice Care

A DONATION of two thousand dollars has been presented to Ballarat Hospice Care by the Ballarat Commandery of the Order of St John of Jerusalem.

The funds were raised at a Christmas event last year and it is hoped the money will support those receiving home-based palliative care in the region.

“People were invited to come to the Christmas function, and we had things for sale and a raffle,” said Tony Reyntjes, vice-commander of the order.

“The main interest we have is supporting people here in Ballarat.”

The Ballarat Order has donated more that $11,000 to Hospice Care over the years and it is the world’s oldest surviving international order of chivalry.

Mr Reyntjes said the mission of Ballarat Hospice Care aligns with the background of the Order of St John of Jerusalem.

“The order started in the 11th century when somebody set up a hospice to look after pilgrims on the way to Jerusalem,” he said.

“It didn’t matter what religious persuasion there were, they were looked after.

“Hospice matches up perfectly to what it originally started with.”

The Order’s next fundraiser will be the opening night of BLOC’s 9 to 5 The Musical at Civic Hall where a proportion of each ticket sale will go towards The SoupBus

Mr Reyntjes encouraged the community to come along.

“We want people to go to the opening night of 9 to 5 to raise more money,” he said.

“With COVID and all the restrictions, and Her Majesty’s not open, it has been not possible, but it is now.”

Tickets to the musical, which is on in July, can be purchased on the Her Majesty’s Theatre website.