Men’s Shed donation to assist bereaved children

MEN’S Sheds on the Bellarine are again displaying the impact they can have.

Clifton Springs Community Mens Shed has donated $1,500 to Drysdale-based bereavement charity Wombat’s Wish in a heartfelt gesture of solidarity as part of the two organisations’ long-standing relationship.

Men’s Shed president Rob Partridge said it gave the group “a great deal of satisfaction” to support Wombat’s Wish.

“We try to make an impact to the community through our local charities as often as we can,” Mr Partridge said.

“We raise funds through the Portarlington Market and by selling items we make ourselves whether they be cheeseboard, card holders and anything else we see fit.

“Alongside the Wombat’s Wish donation, we were able to donate $2,500 to Riding For The Disabled in Wallington, rounding out our $4,000 in donations that we aim to provide each year.”

The Men’s Shed also provided Wombat’s Wish with a new collection of “memory boxes”, an initiative run by the two organisations.

The memory boxes are created by the Men’s Shed with timber provided by Wombat’s Wish and are then gifted to children attending the charity’s weekend camps.

Wombat’s Wish administrator Annika Blattmann said the charity was extremely grateful for the donation and was excited to see the two organisations continue their partnership into its second decade.

“We deliver eight camps to bereaved children per year and we use these boxes as a way of collating memories created during the camp.

“The kids are then able to decorate it as they see fit and cherish it for the rest of their lives.

“We’re so glad to have the Men’s Shed on board with us and the work they do for the rest of the region.”

Clifton Springs Community Men’s Shed creates about 60 memory boxes each year for Wombat’s Wish.

To donate to Wombat’s Wish, head to wombatswish.org.au/donate