Kindness helps bridge problem for palliative care charity

WHEN their delivery truck was vandalised beyond repair, a Creswick-based charity supporting home-based palliative care was left struggling to deliver vital hospital equipment.

The volunteer-driven organisation, Shannon’s Bridge, supports people with end-of-life issues, including through delivery of essential care equipment to their homes.

But after their delivery truck was vandalised, the volunteers were forced to use their own cars to deliver the equipment to private homes around Victoria and New South Wales.

Now, in a welcome act of kindness, Hino Australia has stepped forward with the immediate loan of a truck, enabling the registered charity to continue its essential deliveries.

“As soon as we heard about the amazing work that Shannon’s Bridge does, we wanted to provide assistance,” Hino Australia president and CEO Richard Emery said.

Relieved Shannon’s Bridge co-founder Jeremy McKnight was delighted to receive the immediate loan of the Hino 300 Series truck, while the organisation now continues to fundraise to buy a permanent replacement vehicle.

“Unfortunately our second-hand delivery truck was damaged and the batteries stolen and we now need to replace it,” Mr McKnight said.

“We receive around five requests for assistance daily and the majority are people needing equipment urgently.

“Shannon’s Bridge delivers equipment to these families, usually within 24 hours, every day of the year.

“The families we help don’t have time to wait for support, and timely delivery of equipment is essential to help them remain at home for their last days.

“Having a safe and reliable way to deliver equipment is vital to our charitable purpose of reducing suffering in palliative care.

“Our volunteers have been incredible in helping us move equipment quickly since our truck has been off the road, however, the sheer volume of requests meant a replacement truck is essential.

“We are extremely grateful to Hino Australia’s support which will enable us to catch up on requests and do battle with the upswing in requests that happens every year in the run up to Christmas when everyone wants to be home but funded services are winding back.”

Fellow Shannon’s Bridge co-founder Dr Claire Hepper said that the loan of the Hino truck is through to the end of the year.

“Delivery of the hospital equipment isn’t the only thing we do,” Dr Hepper said.

“We get about five referrals a day and probably 60 percent of the work we do is in a 100-kilometre radius of Creswick.”

Mr Emery urged the community to get behind Shannon’s Bridge’s fundraising efforts for a new truck, through GoFundMe online.

They have so far raised about $6500 toward their $80,000 goal and donations can be made at gofundme.com/f/replacement-truck-for-shannons-bridge.

“The work that Shannon’s Bridge does in the community cannot be underestimated, and we are pleased to partner with them to support and advance their fundraising efforts,” Mr Emery said.

“A special mention to our trusted supplier, Superior Vehicle Logistics that made the quick delivery of the truck possible through their incredible support.”