How Recipients Are Chosen
Throughout the year WA Charity Direct members vote on potential Charities. All members are encouraged to suggest potential charities, if a member can demonstrate a cause is worthwhile and complies with the WA Charity Direct Charter it will be put to a members vote for approval.
Approximately 75% of each year's funds are distributed to Charities, up to 25% is retained for emergency charity purposes.
APPLICATION FORMS
WA Charity Direct supports WA based charities in need as well as Individuals requiring assistance for specific reasons.
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Individuals Assisted
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SPREADBOROUGH FAMILY
2009 - New spa
A holiday at Quobba Station took a tragic turn for the Spreadborough Family when father, Robert, fell 15 metres after the cliff he was standing on gave way. Robert is now confined to a wheelchair and is completely dependant on his wife Samantha who is now his full time carer.
Robert & Samantha also have 2 children aged 6 & 9 yrs old. Their 6yr old son Reuben has Global Developmental Delay which is a condition very similar to Cerebral Palsy. Reuben requires weekly speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy sessions to help with his condition.
For completely opposite reasons, both Rob & Reuben require regular hydrotherapy sessions, Reuben has extremely low muscle tone and needs to strengthen his weak muscles while Rob has high muscle tone and suffers with muscle spasms needing to relax his muscles.
As the sole carer, Sam, spent countless hours travelling to and from therapy. When WA Charity Direct heard of their plight the decision was made to help the family purchase a spa of their very own. The result - Rob & Reuben get their therapy sessions daily in the comfort of their own home and Sam no longer has a hectic travel schedule to adhere to. Most of all the family now have something they are able to enjoy together.
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BROWN FAMILY
2009 - $22,828.00
'Mercy dash boy' Aiden Brown has lost both of his feet and part of his fingers after a life-threatening bout of severe viral pneumonia. The seven year old fell ill in November 2008 and was flown to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne for specialist treatment. In March 2009, Aiden took his first steps on his new prosthetic feet at Princess Margaret Hospital.
Aiden's parents, Nadia and Michael, have spent all their savings to save their little boy. The financial stress placed upon the entire Brown family has been enormous.
Hearing the South Guildford family's plight, WA Charity Direct swung into action and purchased a brand new Hyundai i30 with the help of Mandurah Hyundai.
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ELLIOT COE
2009 - $5,000.00
On Good Friday 2008, while holidaying with his family, Elliot dove into the ocean hitting a sandbar, resulting in him becoming a quadriplegic.
Elliot is 23yrs old and is a very determined and positive young man who has already exceeded doctor's expectations.
WA Charity Direct donated $5,000 towards a set of power assisted wheels for Elliot's manual wheelchair.
The e-Motion wheels are battery powered and will allow Elliot to push himself over longer distances and up hills, giving him a lot more freedom and independence.
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JAIMEN HUDSON
2009 - $5,000.00
While motorcycling off road, Jaimen was involved in an accident which resulted in him becoming a quadriplegic.
Jaimen's wish to be independent and lead a life as close to normal as possible.
WA Charity Direct donated $5,000 towards a set of power assisted wheels for Jaimen's manual wheelchair.
The e-Motion wheels are battery powered and will allow Jaimen to push himself over longer distances and up hills, giving him a lot more freedom and independence.
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HEARTKIDS WA
2009 - $20,000.00
HeartKids WA Inc is a not for profit group established to support children and the families of children who are born with or aquire a heart condition.
They provide a diverse range of support programs for all members of the family and aim to provide appropriate programs for heart children of all ages.
Each year HeartKids Australia runs a Teen Camp over the Australia Day long weekend for HeartKid teens.
WA Charity Direct donated $3,200 to help 5 WA HeartKids attend the Teem Camp where they were not in a financial position to do so. The additional $16,800 was used to support a variety of programs WA HeartKids offer.
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GEORGIA MARSHALL
2009 - $11,690.23
Georgia is a 7yr old girl who has Diffuse Intinsic Pontine Glioma, a malignant inoperable brain tumor.
Some positive treatment had been recommended at the Burzynski clinic in Houston Texas which will extend her life expectancy from 6 - 12 months to a minimum of 2 years, after which time doctors will hopefully have more answers and good results from the treatment.
WA Charity Direct donated $11,690.23 which paid for one of Georgia's medical bills.
Unfortunately on 14th January 2010 Georgia passed away.
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HARLEY
2008 - $8,862.35
Harley is 18yrs old and severely disabled. He is bed ridden and house bound.
His mum's biggest wish is to be able to take Harley to her sister's house for a family Christmas.
WA Charity Direct has funded the specially designed wheelchair which will allow Harley's family to take him outdoors to enjoy the sunshine which he hasn't been able to do for years.
Thank you to Carers WA for providing assistance through the funding process.
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CEREBRAL PALSY
2008 - $35,550.00
3 Safe Surround Beds were required for 3 young children aged between 3 and 4 who all have severe Cerebral Palsy with many other disabilities, meaning they require a lot of specialised care during the day and night.
Due to their condition they have very little control and are unable to move safely. A normal bed and mainstream hospital beds with adjustable sides are not safe enough for them to sleep in.
Specially designed Safe Surround Beds were identified as the safest option for each patient. With a cost of $11,850 each it is a huge expenditure for the families.
WA Charity Direct funded the 3 beds alleviating the financial burden from the families in desperate need.
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TERRESA
2008 - $11,750.00
Terresa is a single mum with 3 young children, her middle child is severely disabled and requires much assistance.
After the new station wagon she had purchased was stolen and burnt out with all her children's equipment in the car Terresa was financially unable to replace the car and all the equipment needed.
WA Charity Direct assisted Terresa with the donation of a 2nd hand station wagon and paying out the remainder of her existing loan, alleviating the financial pressure she was put under by the thoughtless act of others.
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CANCER SUPPORT ASSOCIATION
2007- $22,000.00
Money was donated to the Cancer Support Association for a specific purpose of meeting cancer related hospital treatment bills incurred which are not otherwise covered by Medicare for a particular patient.
Unfortunately the patient has since passed.
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HOLDER FAMILY
2006 - $50,000.00
Seth and McKenzie Holder are two children with an inherited genetic terminal illness. This illness, Late Infantile Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, or Battens Disease, results in deterioration of the brain and eyesight, to the point where the child usually dies around the age of ten years.
A clinical trial using Gene Transfer Therapy was held in New York and the Holder family were accepted to travel to the USA and participate in the trial. This requires frequent trips and lengthy stays in New York for the children to undergo the treatment procedures and hope to battle the disease. The therapy requires manufacturing the gene they are missing, attaching it to a virus and implanting it into the brain in the hope it spreads and is able to manufacture the enzyme they need to stop the cells from dying.
How WACD's donation has assisted:
WA Charity Direct's donation of $50,000 allowed Seth and McKenzie to travel and stay in the US with their parents for the required follow up to their surgeries.
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Charities Assisted
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CONDUCTIVE EDUCATION CENTRE OF WA (CECWA)
2007 - $30,000.00
The Conductive Education Centre of WA is an Incorporated Association that delivers Conductive Education (CE) programs for children. Conductive Education is a unique system of special education and rehabilitation that has been specifically developed for children who have motor disorders of a neurological origin, such as cerebral palsy. Unlike traditional therapy-based approaches, it does not set out to 'treat' children but to help them learn to overcome their learning disabilities, become self reliant and live full and fulfilling lives.
CECWA provides CE programs at Carson Street School, the State's only primary education support school. The school provides education staff (including Teacher-Conductors, Education Assistants and Administration) while CECWA aims to provide a trans-disciplinary therapy team comprising a speech pathologist, occupational therapist and physiotherapist. At this stage, two of the three therapist positions are funded.
The programs are attended by children of pre-school age (0-4) as well as by a small number of school-age children. Sessions range from two-hour parent and child sessions to half and full-day classes.
Currently, 22 families access CE services for their pre-school aged children and 8 students aged 4-8 years old attend CE booster groups though they are enrolled at their local mainstream school. At present, there are fifteen families on the waitlist for CE services (with 1-2 enquiries each week on average).
How WA Charity Direct's donation has assisted:
The commitment of $30,000 enabled CECWA to engage a physiotherapist on the basis of 0.6 FTE (sufficient given program breaks during school holidays) and has increased the effectiveness of the existing programs significantly.
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CARERS WA
2006 - $30,000.00
Carers WA is a non-profit community based organisation and registered charity, dedicated to improving the lives of the estimated 250,000 family carers living in Western Australia. Part of the National Carers Association is recognized at both a state and national level, Carers WA represent carers interests in the Western Australian community. Their role is to work in active partnership with carers; persons with care/support needs, health professionals, service providers, government and the wider community to achieve an improved quality of life for the carers.
http://www.carerswa.asn.au/
How WA Charity Direct's donation has assisted:
The Young Carers Program is focused on young carers who have sacrificed their own social life, careers, health and education in order to care for their family members. Many years of caring have had a negative impact on physical and mental health, with these young carers suffering from injuries such as back pain, joint stress, muscle/ tendon soreness and mental stress, isolation and depression. Carers WA organise social activities for these outstanding young people to make friends, have fun and support one another.
WA Charity Direct's donation of $30,000 assisted in funding the 2007 Leeuwin Adventure for the Young Carers aged 13 to 18. This challenging and rewarding voyage aims to benefit participants in the following ways:
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FRIENDS OF AUTISM
2007 - $30,000.00
2006 - $20,000.00
Friends of Autism helps Western Australian families who are dealing with the pressures associated with childhood Autism. They help families ensure their home is set up for the children's individual needs, inform families on how they can help the family unit stay together and have a forum to air their concerns in a safe and caring environment. The long term goal of Friends of Autism is to assist parents with creating a long term management system, allowing their children to become self sufficient in creating their own resources.
http://www.friendsofautism.org/
How WA Charity Direct's donation has assisted:
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DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF WA
2009 - $20,000.00
2007- $40,000.00
2005 - $25,000.00
The Down Syndrome Association of WA (Inc) believes that people with Down Syndrome have the right to be respected as valued members of society with their own level of independence, self determination, and a sense of belonging to the community. This can be achieved best by having access to appropriate services and support along the way.
http://www.dsawa.asn.au/
How WA Charity Direct's donation has assisted:
The annual budget of $60,000 runs both the Family Support and Community Programs.
The additional funding the Down Syndrome Association of WA received opended the Support Centre and Helpline five days per week, extended the follow up and support for families of newly diagnosed babies and made contact with all member families on a regular basis to pro-actively help them with their support needs. This has extended and increased the community outreach and training to include staff of accommodation support, therapy, respite and recreation services who work with children and adults with Down Syndrome.
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THE ESTHER FOUNDATION
2007 - $30,000.00
2005 - $25,000.00
The Esther-Elizabeth House is a young women's live-in rehabilitation program which helps support 40 young women afflicted with drug and alcohol addiction, self harming and mental health problems.
How WA Charity Direct's donation has assisted:
It has provided accommodation support for up to 40 young women, of which some may have children.
Funds facilitate group activities such as:
- Music
- Creative arts
- Computer classes
- Sewing lessons
- Mothers group
- Child care facilities
- A recreational program for sporting activities
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ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF BRAIN INJURED CHILDREN
2007 - $12,565.00
2004 - $15,000.00
The Association is a support group for families who have a family member undertaking a rehabilitation treatment programme. The Association also provides equipment, library facilities, an incontinence pad scheme and family support officers.
How WA Charity Direct's donation has assisted:
Subsidy assistance:
To members whose children are undergoing various therapy programmes
Provision of Specialised Equipment:
Specialised equipment (bed) at a cost of approx $3500
Assistance with purchase of Incontinent aids:
WACD's donation has given AABIC the ability to further assist members to achieve better buying prices for incontinent aids, by providing some funding towards the cost of their purchases.
Read the Thank You Letter |
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