At the handing over of the donation last week were (L-R) Eric Barras, Denise Field, Tim Keith, Ray Knights, Stephen Hall, Chris Duffy, Garry Phipps, Kaye Lindsay, Bob Steel, Maria Buchanan, Kim Sheridan and Dianne Scott.
The important work carried out by palliative care volunteers in Parkes will be amplified thanks to a generous donation made by members of the Goldfields Masonic Lodge.
The Neighbourhood Central Palliative Care Volunteer Service last week received a $4,490 donation from the Goldfields Lodge 40 raised from local fundraising and the Masonicare InterACTION Grants.
Masonicare is the charitable arm of the United Grand Lodge of NSW and the ACT, which is the governing body for Freemasonry in NSW and the ACT.
“We are very happy to be able to help the locals,” said Eric Barrass of the Goldfields Lodge. “That is what we are all about.”
Neighbourhood Central Executive Officer Dianne Scott said the Palliative Care Volunteer Service had been running for the past ten years and was a very valuable service for the community.
The competence of volunteers is extremely important. Training also aims to enhance access for volunteers to support palliative care patients and their carers and families in terms of physical, functional, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual care in the end-of-life period.
“Our carefully selected palliative care volunteers are active and important members of our Parkes and Forbes Shire communities,” said Dianne. “They provide a range of support at no cost to help patients and their carers and families at a difficult time. This includes practical assistance and respite for carers, or companionship to support a person to pass away at home if that is their wish.”