Three charities on the Northern Rivers have received almost $300,000 in support for projects for disadvantaged and at-risk young people.
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation says they have distributed grants totalling $834,00 among 11 regional charities and community groups that included the Northern Rivers groups: Northcott Fair Go AFOs (ankle-foot orthoses); Autism Camp Australia Helping Hands Project; and Rainbow Club, Bringing Rainbow Clubs to Northern NSW.
Jennifer Leslie, Chair of Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, said, ‘These grants will directly support thousands of people from the Central Coast to the Central West and Northern Rivers, across projects that range from the day-to-day practicality of providing meals through to cutting-edge medical programs.’
For young people with cerebral palsy and dysplasia, local access will be available from Northcott for localised ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) treatment rather than being required to take yearly trips to Sydney for assistance.
Meanwhile, the Bringing Rainbow Clubs to NSW has received $60,000 to assist teaching children with disabilities about water safety through tailored lessons.
This also assists in creating pathways for them to participate at mainstream sporting outlets with greater confidence.
The final Northern Rivers grant of $87,000 goes to the Helping Hands Program Autism Camp. This is specifically aimed at isolated and financially disadvantaged families, who don’t qualify for NDIS funding, to participate in Autism Camp Australia’s (ACA) capacity and resilience building programs.
‘Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to take a trip through regional and rural NSW to see first-hand the amazing work some of our partner organisations are doing each and every day,’ said Ms Leslie.
‘It was a truly humbling and inspiring experience, and served as a reminder of why the work of the Charitable Foundation is so important in ensuring people in need in our communities receive the support, opportunities and respect they deserve,’ added Ms Leslie.
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