Daffodils bloom for health care

Daffodils bulbs are set to bloom to raise funds for West Gippsland Healthcare Group.

Once again, the Blyth family at Ellinbank has donated 50,000 daffodil bulbs to sell during Autumn to help raise money for medical equipment for the Allied and Community Health division.

It’s a tradition that has spanned 23 years for the Warragul-based Blyth Bros Daffodil Growers.

Last year proceeds from the sale of bulbs raised $20,000.

WGHG director Allied and Community Health Audra Fenton said the fundraiser was a major boost for the division which offers a wide range of health care services and home visits to help people recovering from surgery, injuries or to manage health conditions.

“This includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation, podiatry, dietetics, speech pathology, diabetes education, counselling, and more,” she said.

“The Blyth’s generosity enables the purchase of additional equipment for client needs across departments.”

Staff presented some of the equipment purchased from last year’s bulb sales at a special morning tea held to launch this year’s campaign.

John Blyth said it was amazing to see how far the funds stretched to buy so much equipment and to hear the enthusiasm of staff who do an amazing job delivering healthcare to our community.

Equipment purchased includes new paediatric tables and chairs, soft mat, educational toys and books for children with health conditions, posture walkers, foam roller, weights and a myriad of resources to benefit people needing rehabilitation or to manage health conditions.

WGHG board chair Jane Leslie thanked the Blyths for their continued generous support.

“We also thank the local businesses who provide an outlet to sell the bulbs with 100 per cent of proceeds from sales going directly to the West Gippsland Healthcare Group,” she said.

“We could not do this without them.”

Businesses who have volunteered to sell bulbs include Town and Country Gallery in Yarragon, Grange café at Warragul, Drouin Auxiliary Opportunity Shop, Trafalgar Opportunity Shop, IGA Supermarket in Bunyip, and Caltex Service Stations at Longwarry.

Bulbs are also available at West Gippsland Hospital reception in Landsborough Street, Warragul.

WGHG staff display some of the new equipment purchases from last year’s daffodil bulb proceeds. From left Sue Aberdeen, Nicole Robertson, Donna Ablett, Ros Herrera, Ulla Schmidt, Marja Jamieson, John Blyth from Blyth Bros., Elaine Coetzee, Audra Fenton...