Cottage provides free respite
AFTER their son passed away from cancer in 2001, Louise and Chris Bazley created Can Do Cottage, a free holiday destination for those in need of respite.
With the help of the community, Mr and Mrs Bazley turned the 100-year-old cottage on their farm in Clifton into a cosy place for those being treated for or recovering from an illness to come and relax for free.
Mr and Mrs Bazley’s middle son, Jim, was diagnosed with cancer at just 10 years old, and sadly passed away two years later.
“We decided we’d do something in his honour and we had this little cottage in our front yard on the farm and we decided we’d get in renovated,” Mrs Bazley said.
“We had two good friends, Richard Stockley and Clarrie Reis who brought in a team of friends and workers from Arden Vale Homes- they did all the work for free.”
Mrs Bazley said it took 16 weeks for the cottage to be finished and ready for the first couple to come and stay.
“It’s for people who are suffering from cancer, or are recovering from cancer, or any illness,” she said.
“But it’s also for the carers because we know how hard it can be going back and forth from Brisbane.
“We know the mental and physical strain of having a child that is sick, especially when you have other children.”
Mrs Bazley said she believed having a place like Can Do Cottage was important.
“A lot of people, when they come here, they say all they’ve done is slept, relaxed and read,” she said.
“We’ve met so many lovely people through this.
“It’s been a joy for us even though it came out of something sad.”
To book at stay at Can Do Cottage, call Louise Bazley on 0419677004