Neville Spear Community Grants - Category 2
Category 2 - Surrounding regions
Grafton Knitted Knockers Warm Touch
Grafton Knitted Knockers Warm Touch is a local not-for-profit charity that care for many of those in need: cancer patients and cancer survivors, elderly in aged care facilities, the handicapped and special needs community and the homeless. The group also have a very special project for premmie babies as well as drought and bushfire victims and their families (just to mention a few).
Some of the many gifts that the group provides to those in need are knitted and crocheted rugs, quilts, beanies, mittens, bed socks, scarves, neck warmers, amputee stump covers, masks, and wheelchair and wheely walker bags.
Grafton Knitted Knockers Warm Touch have a collection of volunteers from all over Australia, however they depend on donations and fundraisers.
The Neville Spear Community Grant will help to ensure that the group can continue to support those in need in our community, and will also allow the group to purchase new wool, thread and fabrics to continue making items for cancer patients and the elderly. The funds could also make sure that local breast cancer survivors have the best quality soft cotton for their prostheses and that the postage for these items would be covered.
For more information, please visit Grafton Knitted Knockers Warm Touch’s Facebook page.
Macksville Preschool and Childcare Centre
Macksville Preschool and Childcare Centre is a long day care service that caters to the local community, educating the next generation of young people. The day care service caters to children from 18 month olds up to 6 years old, supporting families in providing care during the day for their children.
Macksville Preschool and Childcare Centre are committed to providing the highest standard of early childhood education, and in turn are making a positive contribution to the Nambucca Valley community. The exceptional reputation of the preschool is a reflection of the first-rate service delivered.
The Neville Spear Community Grant will contribute to the cost of replacing the roof of the community childcare centre, as during the most recent extreme weather event the building sustained significant water damage. Unfortunately the cost to replace the existing roof to prevent a reoccurring issue is phenomenal and outside of their budget parameters, and this has impacted on the service they provide to the local community.
Sunshine Coast Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Inc. (SCRDA)
Sunshine Coast Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Inc. (SCRDA) is a not-for-profit organisation providing equine-based therapeutic and recreational riding and driving programs for all members of the disability community on the Sunshine Coast. The groups philosophy is to promote the well-being of people who suffer with a long term intellectual, physical, developmental or psychological disability or impairment by means of therapeutic equine activities and educational training programs.
SCRDA has a team of hard-working horses who allow participants to enjoy and develop their skills in a safe environment. These horses are specifically trained and assessed for particular roles, allowing them to provide the unique services of the programs offered at SCRDA. With 21 horses to care for and maintain, any extra assistance is appreciated and brings some relief to the SCRDA organisation during these difficult times.
The Neville Spear Community Grant will help to provide health and wellbeing in the way of providing supplemental feed, scheduled farrier trims, worming, teeth float, Hendra vaccination, and any unforeseen veterinary call-outs for a SCRDA horse. This, in turn, provides participants a healthy horse to continue their genuine therapeutic and meaningful relationship at SCRDA. The achievements of our participants from 2 years old to 90 years young who ride, carriage drive or participate in the on ground programs is remarkable, some of who find SCRDA the only outdoor physical program they enjoy, participate in and come back for.
For more information, please visit Sunshine Coast Riding for the Disabled’s website or Facebook page.
Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre
The Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre (PMNC) is a community driven centre inspired by the needs and aspirations of our local community. The group provides programs as required based on the feedback and requests of the community. The PMNC assists disadvantaged families and the community in many ways, including: Food Connect, tenants advice service, children’s services & OOSH, L2P learner driver mentor program, MR truck driving program, volunteer HQ, international woman’s froup, family fun days, community BBQ’s, school holiday program, community resilience program and the Hobby Hub.
The Neville Spear Community Grant will allow the PMNC to grow their new Hobby Hub program. The Hobby Hub is a space for the community to come together to learn, share and explore. The space currently holds yoga and mosaic classes and are investigating starting many other fun and interactive activities, one of which will be the Hobby Garden where the PMNC will create a lovely, peaceful, fun space for the community to share.
For more information, please visit the Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre’s website.