A local rotary club says it was a “no brainer” to jump onboard community fundraising efforts for Mildura Health Foundation’s patient accommodation.
The accommodation will be utilised by those living outside Mildura who are undergoing radiation treatment at the Mildura Health Icon Cancer Centre.
Mildura Deakin Rotary Club’s Gary Klippel said the club has been raising funds since learning of the project, and decided to jump onboard due to the widespread impact it will have for radiation patients not only in Mildura but many surrounding rotary districts such as Ouyen, Swan Hill, Broken Hill and Loxton.
“Those places will most likely be impacted more than Mildura as far as people needing somewhere to stay while receiving treatment,” Mr Klippel said.
“Without the (accommodation) facility, it’d be very difficult for a lot of people to get the treatment. “The facility is what this area requires so it was a no brainer to support it by fundraising.”
So far, the rotary club’s fundraising projects have included Mildura’s Longest Lunch, paid car parking at the Mildura 100 Ski Race and a portion of profits from the club’s Christmas hamper drive.
“We are also working closely with the International Federation of Flying Rotarians who recently visited Mildura and made a donation of $5000 towards the accommodation project, to leverage the funds that our club, and other local clubs such as Irymple Rotary, have already raised.
“We’ve also been encouraging a lot of other clubs to get involved and they have also been fundraising for the Foundation."