Myles’ Mission raises $60k to Adopt a Room “

A Cairns family has raised $60,000 in memory of their four-month-old son, who tragically died in 2019.

Alex and Ash Bavister have fundraised for Ronald McDonald House Charities in Townsville, providing accommodation for families in need.

Myles’ Mission was inspired after their own experience using RMHC’s services when their four-month-old son Myles was in specialised pediatric intensive care at Townsville Hospital.

On a Friday morning in October 2019, their infant stopped breathing and was flown to hospital. Baby Myles had to be put on life support due to brain swelling and oxygen deprivation and durhigher ing this period, the family stayed at Ronald McDonald House Charities in Townsville for six days and nights.

“Being able to spend time in a home environment away from the hospital was so important to us at the time,”

Mr Bavister said. A few days later, the heartbreaking decision was made to withdraw life support and on October 16, 2019, the family said goodbye to their baby.

“Upon returning to Cairns, Ash and I felt driven to create good from our loss,” Mr Bavister said. They launched Myles’ Mission in memory of their little one to Adopt a Room with RMHC North Australia, setting a goal to raise $5000 for one year of sponsorship.

After three years, they set a goal of $50,000 – equivalent to 10 years of Adopt a Room sponsorship. Cairns non-profit The Bresnahan Footprint Foundation was one of the biggest donors, contributing $5000 in their second donation in 2022.

The Bavisters have since raised more than $60,000.

Myles would have celebrated his fourth birthday on Wednesday, May 24, and on this poignant occasion, his parents said that they were determined to continue their efforts.

“Our drive to fundraise for such an impactful charity is not only to have Myles’ name on a plaque, but also to ensure this amazing and irreplaceable service is available to any future family that needs it,” Mr Bavister said.

Queensland Police will be equipped with new armoured vehicles in a multimillion-dollar funding injection.

Treasurer Cameron Dick and Police Minister Mark Ryan revealed $6.2m would be spent on eight new armoured vehicles as part of the 2023/24 budget.

This includes a new nine-tonne BearCat armoured vehicle, bringing the service’s total to four.

Another seven light armoured vehicles will be purchased — adding three to the fleet and renewing four — with the expectation the cars will be based across the state.

“These armoured vehicles are a priceless and life-saving asset for our specialist police, who are on the frontline of dangerous and high-risk situations,” Mr Dick said.

“Funding will ensure police right across Queensland, including specialist units, have the armoured vehicles and resources they need to help keep their colleagues and Queenslanders safe.”

Mr Ryan said emergency response teams regularly operated in extreme high-risk environments and they “deserve every support”.

“Especially when operating in highly dangerous environments, police deserve to have the best and safest equipment, resources and vehicles to support their selfless work for and on behalf of the broader community,” he said.