Mareeba couple’s generous gift
MORE than $60,000 worth of medical equipment for Mareeba Hospital will be a parting gift from a local couple.
Leslie and Anne Mills will soon leave their Tablelands home to be closer to family in Cairns but said they wanted to make one last significant donation to their local hospital of the past 38 years.
Since 2012, they have donated $160,000 worth of hospital equipment, funded through the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.
The equipment includes an i-STAT machine for theatre/ maternity, two vital signs monitors, a hoist to help lift frail elderly people, a bladder scanner and a hoverjack for bariatric patients.
Mareeba Hospital director of nursing and midwifery Vickye Coffey said staff and patients were very grateful for the purchases.
“Donations such as these help us continue to provide exceptional care to the Mareeba community,” Mrs Coffey said.
Foundation CEO Tony Franz said it was rewarding to see community-spirited donations making a real difference.
“And it’s important to show that the Foundation not only supports the Cairns Hospital, but also outlying centres. These purchases can mean less people have to be transported to Cairns in critical conditions,” Mr Franz said. “They can stay in their home community surrounded by loved ones for longer, and it’s less physical stress on the staff.
“We are eternally grateful to Mr and Mrs Mills for their great generosity.”