Donation a good cause

By Kate Taylor

She’s a young teenager on a quest to help others and now, the first donation of an iPad has been made by Keeley’s Cause.

The recipient was 10-year-old Amy, from Wallace, who has an intellectual disability, and was presented with the iPad alongside her carer Tracey and her grandmother Barbara.

Keeley’s Cause, which organised the donation, is the creation of 13-year-old Keeley from Ballan, who has Autism and an intellectual disability

“Through recent challenges faced by Keeley in having difficulties learning and achieving skills in mainstream education, and the lack of electronic hardware for children with these disabilities, Keeley has created a cause that provides iPads,” Keeley’s mum Sharon told the Moorabool News. 

The ipads help with learning, communicating and interacting with others and allow children diagnosed with autism, or intellectual disability, to achieve their full potential through the use of assistive technology.

Amy’s iPad was sponsored by the Ballan Autumn Festival, with other funds for iPads also raised by donations, sponsorships, fundraising and memberships.

As Sharon points out, “it’s easy to jump on board with Keeley’s Cause”.

“To sponsor an actual iPad package is $500, per iPad they wish to sponsor. This consists of an iPad, a plaque with the sponsored business or community group logo and name on it which is attached to the iPad and a heavy-duty iPad cover.”

Sponsors are also invited to the presentation to their recipient, with those present at the inaugural presentation including Mayor Paul Tatchell, Mayor Tatchell’s wife and former BAF President Helen Tatchell, current BAF President Kevin Harper, as well as Ballan Lions Club and Keeley’s Cause members.