SHOW YOU CARE: Founders of the Save Shoalhaven’s Neurological Nurse Fund Anthony Girdlestone, Leanne Watson, Leanne Perry, Hailey Girdlestone and Parkinson’s sufferer Jenny Girdlestone have planned three local events to raise funds to keep the Parkinson’s neurological nurse program running. The group is calling on local businesses to show support by donating auction and raffle prizes. Phone the Save Shoalhaven’s Neurological Nurse Fund on 4422 2211.
A SHOALHAVEN family has organised three fund-raisers to help keep the Parkinson’s disease Shoalhaven neurological nurse program running.
The program was introduced to the Shoalhaven three years ago and has been proven to keep Parkinson’s disease sufferers in their homes longer.
Marilia Pereira was appointed to the position of neurological nurse in the two-year pilot program.
Despite being highly successful the program’s government funding was discontinued in 2011.
Last year a private benefactor and the Bendigo Bank kept the position running for a third year.
This year another private benefactor donated $40,000 to save the program but more funds are required to continue it beyond June.
A local family has been so impressed with the program and how it has helped their mother Jenny Girdlestone it has established three fund-raising events.
Leanne Perry from Nowra said she and her mother Mrs Girdlestone, who has Parkinson’s disease, were devastated to learn the funding for Ms Pereira had been discontinued.
“Marilia is a fantastic support not only to patients but also to families,” she said.
“When Mum found out that the funding had been cut she went into a really big depression; it really affected her and the entire family.
“All my siblings came together and said we needed to do something fast.
“The recent [donation] of $40,000 will only last a couple more months, we had to do something.”
The family has planned three events in April; a fun day for children and families, a live music concert for over 18s and a dinner with guest speakers and a silent auction.
“What we really need to help these events is support from local businesses to donate prizes for our raffles and the silent auction.
“We really want the local community to get behind these events, as the neurological nurse support service is such a vital program to Parkinson’s disease patients, their carers and their families.”
For more information, or to donate to the cause phone the hotline on 4422 2211 or email info@ssnnf.com.
The first event is a family fun day with entertainment and activities for all ages.
The family fun day will be held on Saturday, April 13 at the Bomaderry Bowling Club from 10am to 4pm. Tickets cost $10 per family.
The second, also at the Bomaderry Bowling Club on April 13, is a live music concert from 6pm to 11.30pm.
The band Side Talk and a number of other bands will be performing. Tickets cost $10.
The third event is a fund-raising dinner on Saturday, May 4, with canapes on arrival a three-course meal, guest speakers including one from Parkinson’s NSW, a silent auction, raffle and live music. Tickets cost $65.
