More than $3,000 has been raised to support Great Lakes Palliative Care Inc at the 2024 Myall Lakes Seniors Concerts in Forster.
Nationals Member for Myall Lakes, Tanya Thompson, said while the concerts were great entertainment, they also raise money that benefits local community groups.
"Stephen Bromhead, my predecessor, started our local seniors' concerts 13 years ago and raised over $50,000 for local community groups during that time," Mrs Thompon said.
"Great Lakes Palliative Care Support is a local not-for profit community-based charity. It is such a vital and valuable asset to the Myall Lakes that relies on donations to help them to continue to provide support where it is needed the most."
During the two Forster concerts, attendees generously contributed $2024.00. Mrs Thompson personally contributed a further $1000, bringing the total amount raised to $3,024.00.
Deidre Stokes, president of Great Lakes Palliative Care Support, said they were grateful for Mrs Thompson's support.
"These funds will be used towards assisting the Palliative Care and Oncology patients of the Great Lakes and surrounding areas.
"In the past month alone, over $3500 was provided to support those experiencing financial difficulties.
"An increased need for food and petrol vouchers has been experienced since mid-last year and requests for assistance have risen considerably.
"Currently we are assisting with the costs of medications, dietary supplements, utility bills, rate payments, green slips, and car repairs.
"As you can imagine a diagnosis of a life limiting illness and the required need sometimes for overwhelming treatment, often leave folk unable to work, or have to reduce work hours with the associated difficulties of paying the rent/mortgage and other of life's necessities."
Mrs Stokes said carers often are unable to keep working or have to reduce their hours due to the necessity of being at home caring for their loved one.
"Young families are often impacted with reduced family income. Those managing on benefits often find there are no extras left to cover the associated costs of getting to appointments, extra medications, supplements and just the day-to-day burden created by illness," Mrs Stokes said.
