Many businesses rallying behind the construction of a new KidzWish Place gathered at Flinders on Wednesday to be thanked for helping Illawarra and South Coast children who are sick, disadvantaged or have a disability.
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As excavation starts on the site builder Piruse Constructions and other supporters such as KFW, Cleary Brothers, Go Hire, Spinelli Real Estate, Austral Bricks, Thomas Creative and Maguire & McInerney were invited along for an official thank you.
And it was a chance for KidzWish executive director Chris Beaven to call for other businesses to consider what they might be able to help.
“We are still seeking financial donations and in-kind services and materials including roofing, flooring, lighting, hardware and landscaping supplies,” Mrs Beaven said.
Members of the community can also help KidzWish raise the remaining fundraising target of $700,000. KidzWish Place has received $915,456 from the Federal Government, $248,000 from the State Government and $2.64 million has come from the KidzWish Foundation.
The new facility is the size of a basketball court and is designed to accommodate the growing demand for the services KidzWish provides and will provide with the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) roll-out.
It will be a place where children who are sick, disadvantaged or have a disability will be able to call their "favourite place in the world".
Joe Cachia, of Piruse Constructions, is building and project managing the construction. “I can’t think of a better cause to be involved with. We have had a hand in the design and the whole process. It is quite a big building. We will start work next week and subject to funding coming in we should finish it 12 months or so”.
KidzWish Place will include six therapy rooms, one music and dance studio, one multipurpose sports hall, office administration rooms, covered play area and a magic cupboard full of toys.
Brendan Pearce, of Maguire & McInerney, said the firm had supported KidzWish since its inception. “We want to make sure they can achieve all their goals. Supporting them is something we are very proud of”.
Dean Fitton, of Austral Bricks, said the company enjoyed supporting such a great cause for children.
Services KidzWish provides to Illawarra and South Coast children sick are: Speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, an appeals program, music and dance program, sports academy program and the annual KidzWish Children’s Christmas Party.