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General News

17 September, 2021

Mystery Donation

AN anonymous donation has enabled a local Cairns disability support organisation to commence rolling-out a much-needed support program to their clients.

By Peter McCullagh

ILSA Administration Officer Christine Elliott is overjoyed with the very generous donation. PHOTO: Peter McCullagh
ILSA Administration Officer Christine Elliott is overjoyed with the very generous donation. PHOTO: Peter McCullagh

A generous benefactor left a bank cheque for $55,000 in the letter box of Independent Living Support Association (ILSA) last week.

The cheque along with the accompanying letter gave nothing away as to the identity or the motive behind this generous donation.

The nature of the donation as well its size has staff and volunteers grateful yet bewildered.

Administration staff of ILSA emptied the letter box to find the envelope amongst the collection of mail. Addressed to the organisation, the envelope was opened, and a sea of shrieks ensued when the contents were revealed.

They then interrupted a Senior Management meeting taking place at the time, apologising and advising that it was a letter that the management team needed to see immediately. Baffled by the interruption, senior staff reopened the envelope to see the cheque.

“Neither of us could believe what we were seeing!” states CEO Leanne Denby. “What was a typical weekly meeting turned into a celebration of generosity. We would love to know who donated this funding to thank them personally, but respect they chose to remain anonymous. Whoever you are, thank you so much!”

Before the cheque had been banked, the team knew how it would be spent.

Leanne Denby CEO ILSA, Maryane Fullalove ILSA Management Committee and Administration Officer Christine Elliott. PHOTO: Peter McCullagh
Leanne Denby CEO ILSA, Maryane Fullalove ILSA Management Committee and Administration Officer Christine Elliott. PHOTO: Peter McCullagh

“We have been developing a new support program to provide funding support to clients in need” says President of ILSA, Nita Carling.

“There is a lot of misconception around that with the NDIS all people living with a disability are now fully
supported.

“But the truth is that anyone who was 65 years or older as NDIS rolled out, they missed out on the cut off and are not supported.

“Disability is disability no matter the age of the person. We want to further assist our clients in need by helping to fund supports and equipment needed to live independently. That’s where this $55,000 will go”.

With the anonymous donation starting the ball rolling on this new support program, ILSA looks forward to helping clients in need where it can and is always looking for other generous people to donate. ILSA has always been a very people-centred organisation, founded in 1997 by people living with disability who wanted supports delivered in a better way. It still lives by this ethos today.

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