THE King Cain Bathurst Wallabies Tri Club’s efforts in giving back to the community are set to help improve the quality of life for another local lad.
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The club has been raising funds on behalf of the John Maclean Foundation (JMF) – set up to help change the lives of young Australians who use wheelchairs – for the past year and now those efforts are coming to fruition.
Harry Clist was presented with $5000 just before Christmas and now young Will Kemp has received a similar amount.
Will, born in 2000, has since been found to have a severe global delay, epilepsy and scoliosis and is unable to walk.
He gets around in a custom-made wheelchair with a specialised moulded back which needs to be regularly updated.
Although Will does not have any speech, he is very much interested in everything that goes on around him.
Ryan Sargent from the King Cain Wallabies said the boys were the chosen recipients of the Wallabies’ fundraising efforts in 2011.
“It was an honour to race under the JMF banner and being able to give Harry and Will a helping hand means a lot to everyone in the club,” he said.
Will’s mother Janelle wrote a letter of thanks to the club in the new year.
“We would like to thank you for nominating Will this year for your fundraising. We feel very humbled by everyone’s amazing efforts raising money for Will and Harry. We will certainly put this money to good use,” Janelle wrote.
“We have been in touch with Kim Beavis from the John Maclean Foundation, who has been wonderful to deal with.
“We will be purchasing a hi-low bed for Will with a top-of-the-range mattress to help protect his spine and back from any pressure sores.
“The bed is similar to a hospital bed and can move up and down, and have legs on top of the bed raised or lowered.
“The great thing is we were able to purchase one which looks like a normal bed – with a wooden bedhead.
“It is great to be able to put the funds towards this bed, which will make Will’s life and our lives so much easier. We are very grateful for all your efforts. Col, Janelle, Lochie and Will Kemp.”
Ryan said the John Maclean Foundation did important work.
“The foundation provides financial assistance to purchase items such as new wheelchairs, vehicle and house modifications, surgery and medical assistance, computers, remedial aids or any item that improves the quality of life for the child and their family,” he said.
