Endeavour Foundation Bundaberg clients will enjoy beach visits thanks to a successful grant application supported by Mayor Jack Dempsey.
“We will buy equipment that provides opportunity for people in wheelchairs to access the sea comfortably and safely,” community operations manager Rowena Hanlon said.
“One wheelchair will be suited to customers in a wheelchair but have some mobility in their lower limbs, while the other is for those who require full support of their legs in the chair while in use.
“Having these wheelchairs will mean that people with disability can access any of Bundaberg’s amazing beaches and perhaps even join in the turtle hatching season at Mon Repos.”
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant will also enable participation in outdoor gardening recreational activities.
“We will now be able to provide wooden planters designed for wheelchair access,” Rowena said.
“It means our clients can access the gardens easily, without bending or kneeling.
“The grant will also cover garden soil, tools, seedlings and advice from local gardening experts.”
Wheelchair user Noel Cuskelly said it will be great to enjoy the beach more.
“I’d love to be able to go in the water,” he said.
Meanwhile, gardening enthusiast Mark Coglan can’t wait to be able to access the new garden beds.
“I love growing veggies,” he said.
“It will be great to be able to do it while I’m here.”
Mayor congratulates Endeavour Foundation
Bundaberg Region Mayor Jack Dempsey was a referee for the application and congratulated Endeavour Foundation Bundaberg on its success.
“Endeavour Foundation does a great job focusing on ability, rather than disability,” he said.
“The beach wheelchair and raised garden beds are both great initiatives that will mean so much to those who use them, making a difference in their lives in tangible ways.”
Endeavour Foundation Bundaberg site manager Nicole Novak said they were very excited about the new beach-friendly wheelchairs.
“This is something we’ve been trying to do for a few years now,” she said.
“There are people not only in wheelchairs but also with mobility issues who will be able to enjoy the beach.
“It will make a huge difference to their quality of life, being able to go in the water and refresh, especially in the hot weather.”
Nicole said the raised garden beds and gardening gear would also be popular.
“We’ve always grown veggies and we run cooking classes every day,” she said.
“Now that we have raised beds we can get a good crop going and form a social gardening group.”
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) gives not-for-profit groups financial support to provide services and opportunities for Queensland communities.
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