Wheelchair Foundation Australia says Thank You to Rotary for $200,000 in Donations

PP Lyall Hood from Gosford West Rotary Club, the current voluntary Executive of Wheelchair Foundation Australia announced this month that with Rotary support, the WFA has received over $200,000 in donations.  This money has been raised by individuals and Rotary Clubs around Australia just in the last eighteen months.  From this fantastic Rotary support 2000 wheelchairs have been delivered to Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

At the recent D9520 District Conference held at Broken Hill, $38,000 was raised in one evening.  When PP Lyall was asked what he thought of this amazing fundraising effort he said, It is a real pleasure to see the results of the generosity of Rotarians and Rotary Clubs.  On behalf of the WFA volunteers and the recipients of the wheelchairs, thank you so much.  PP Lyall, never lost for words, also told the audience at the D9520 District Conference that, If every Rotary Club in Australia gave $1000.00 per year to the WFA a supply of wheelchairs could be provided to developing countries in the Pacific at a rapid pace, sufficient to satisfy the mobility problem in the Pacific region.  The World Health Organisation figures state that 6% of Papua New Guinea requires a wheelchair.  The WFA is aiming to deliver over 100,000 wheelchairs to Papua New Guinea.  This will require constant fund raising efforts and a passion to achieve such a huge goal.  The WFA believes that with Rotary support, this is an achievable goal.

PP Lyall informed the District Conference that the wheelchairs delivered to these developing countries by WFA are brand new, purpose built and have a total commercial value of $1.3 million dollars.  The WFA has delivered the 2000 wheelchairs so amazingly cost effectively due to arrangements with manufacturers and shipping agents due to bulk purchasing.  The wheelchairs are bought and distributed via shipping containers.

Two containers have gone to Samoa, two to Fiji and three are on their way to Papua New Guinea.  The wheelchairs are distributed in country by Rotary Clubs and other non-government organisations.  PP Lyall reported that in June 2006, the Apia Rotary Club in Samoa worked in partnership with the Dr Stanley Dean from the Health Department to ensure those most in need received the wheelchairs.  From a container of 280 wheelchairs, the wheelchairs were distributed via various community channels.

Typically, the wheelchairs are delivered in small numbers to towns and villages.  Twelve wheelchairs were delivered to the Little Sisters of the Poor who gratefully received them.  For the first time, elderly Samoans with mobility problems will have the benefit of a wheelchair thanks to the Little Sisters of the Poor, WFA, and Rotarians who donated money for the purchase of wheelchairs.

PP Lyall sated that One wheelchair provides positive relief for at least five people the recipient of the wheelchair and the primary care givers of the recipient, normally family members, have their lives immediately improved.  Giving a wheelchair really changes lives.  He encourages all Rotarians and Rotary Clubs to donate funds to the WFA.  Lyall would like to invite Rotarians to take part in a wheelchair distribution in Papua New Guinea either in 2006, or by donating funds and participating in 2007 or in 2008.  This way, Rotarians can see the difference a wheelchair makes to the recipient – the reaction on the faces of those who receive a chair is priceless.

For further information contact Lyall Hood, Voluntary Executive Director WFA, ly***@go**************.au