Queensland children with life-limiting conditions will get to enjoy more outings with their families, as a new double wheelchair accessible HiAce van is gifted to Hummingbird House, the state’s only children’s hospice.
The purchase and fit-out of the new vehicle were instigated by Mt Pleasant Freemasons Lodge and Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland through a Grassroots Grant of over $54,000.
Hummingbird House General Manager Dr Fiona Hawthorne said the hospice would soon be able to transport more than one child at a time, which has long been a dream of theirs.
“Outings such as going to the beach and connecting our guests to more of what our community offers has previously been difficult to facilitate, but this vehicle will make it so much easier,” Dr Hawthorne said.
“These outings that we take for granted mean so much to Hummingbird House families, helping them bond and spend quality time together in a setting other than our hospice.”
Mt Pleasant Freemasons Lodge representative Trevor Green said they had committed to supporting Queensland’s only children’s hospice last year and were ecstatic to see the initiative finally come to fruition.
“We are so proud to handover this new vehicle today and to help such a worthwhile organisation with their work,” Trevor said.
Hand Heart Pocket Chief Executive Officer Gary Mark said support for families and communities was at the heart of the Freemason charity’s work.
“Mt Pleasant Lodge came to us with $7,000, and we were only too happy to provide the remaining funding through our Grassroots Grants program to get this initiative over the line,” Gary said.
“Helping families who have limited time with their children to make life-long memories through improved transport is a worthy cause and we are glad that the Mt Pleasant Freemasons brought this initiative to our attention.”
Photo: Mt Pleasant Freemasons Lodge representative Trevor Green hands over the keys to the new vehicle to Hummingbird House General Manager Dr Fiona Hawthorne, with Hand Heart Pocket Board Member Jason Bingham and Mt Pleasant Freemasons Lodge representative Andrew Childs standing alongside.
