General News
20 August, 2021
Donation supports critically ill
MEMBERS of the Hampden Hotel Social Club have helped make life a little bit easier for residents across the district.
MEMBERS of the Hampden Hotel Social Club have helped make life a little bit easier for residents across the district.
On behalf of club president Les Pearson, committee member Michael O’Neil presented a cheque for $4000 to South West Health Care staff this week.
He said the club was pleased to be able to support the hospital.
Mr O’Neil said club members hold regular raffles and events throughout the year with the proceeds being donated to a variety of causes.
He said the idea to donate to the hospital came up at a club meeting earlier in the year when a fellow member wanted to donate to a cause supporting cancer patients.
Mr O’Neil said $2000 of the donation was from the club itself, while three “very generous members” also donated a combined $2000 to the cause.
“It was a pleasure to make the donation,” he said.
“We hope it makes a difference to local patients.
“It’s good to put back into the community.”
Nurse unit manager of cancer services and community palliative care Andrea James said the funds would be used to purchase a portable oxygen concentrator to support local cancer and palliative care patients.
She said the portable oxygen concentrator will be loaned free of charge to community palliative care patients in both the Corangamite and Moyne Shire who have significant breathing difficulties.
Mrs James said the machine would be based in Camperdown.
“We have about 120 patients across the region and about 50 in Corangamite and Moyne Shires,” she said.
“We want to base it here with our equipment base.
“We’ve never had one that has stayed here the whole time.”
Mrs James said having access to a portable oxygen concentrator can help ease anxiety, provides confidence and, as importantly, provides a level of ‘normalcy’ because they fit into a shoulder bag and attract no attention for patients.
“This is one way we can help patients them be out and about,” she said.
“Those things mean a lot. It (access to the machine) helps the carer as well.”
Camperdown campus manager Janine Dureu-Finn said the portable oxygen concentrator was an “amazing piece of equipment”.
“We’re very grateful for the club’s donation,” she said.
“We thank Michael and the Hampden Social Club members for their generosity.”
Locals interested in joining the Hampden Hotel Social Club were encouraged to call into the Hampden Hotel each Friday evening.
