Generous family donation funds vital equipment

A FUNDRAISING campaign has secured much needed equipment and support for families living with a loved one in palliative care at home on the Bellarine.

Barwon Heads mum Nicola Stuart has been campaigning for the past year to raise awareness and funds for Bellarine Community Health’s (BCH) palliative care services.

Her fundraising efforts are in memory of her daughter Lorna, who died at home last year supported by the BCH palliative care and community nursing team.

The extended Stuart family, along with family friends, donated generously to BCH following Lorna’s death, with Nicola even spending much of COVID-19 lockdown making masks to raise further funds.

BCH has used the funds to purchase lightweight wheelchairs, walking frames, a special cushioned mattress, over toilet frames and other equipment and medical supplies to support families in need.

“They’re all resources that are really needed to support people which will make a huge difference for someone in palliative care,” Nicola said.

“Lorna had us to help her, but many people don’t have that level of support, so to have this equipment will add to their quality of life.”

The BCH palliative care team has continued to support clients in their homes right throughout COVID-19, with restrictions making home visits more complex.

BCH Nurse Practitioner Sue Berry said support from the Stuart family had been overwhelming and the palliative care team was extremely grateful.

“This equipment we’ve been able to now buy will help reduce stress on carers and families by enabling people to stay at home and be cared for at home,” Sue said.

“BCH will be loaning this equipment out free of charge so that will also help financially because there’s often extra costs associated with keeping people at home when they’re in palliative care.”

For more information and to donate to the Bellarine Community Health palliative care team, head to bch.org.au/donate.