The Lions Club of Terrigal-Wamberal has received a $10,000 grant to help with its continuing work in making a positive difference in the Kincumber community.
The funding has been made available through the Community Kickstart program, distributed by Australian property fund manager ISPT in collaboration with Kincumber Village.
Well known for actively getting involved in humanitarian efforts on a local, national, and international level, the club works to make sure that the local community is always improving and will use the funds to continue to provide a variety of services.
President, John Hughes, said the group’s fundraising activities had been limited over the past two years due to COVID-19 and poor weather conditions.
“We were thrilled and a little bit shocked to receive this grant, having put the application together in just a few days,” he said.
“The funds will allow us to continue to provide service to our community.”
Hughes said $2,000 would be used towards the cost of a top-of-the-line camera screener to be used in Lions’ vision screening for children program.
“These spot screeners cost around $8,000 and we’ll be approaching other Lions clubs in the region to contribute so we can have one here on the Coast, allowing us to do a lot more of the screening,” he said.
“It’s a brilliant program, with the screening taking around eight minutes per child and identifying general vision issues, as well as issues with colour vision and 3D vision.”
Another $2,000 will be used to bring back Free Trade Day on August 26, where members of the community nominate needy people to receive the services of a tradesman for free.
“The tradies donate their time but the money will be used to buy any equipment they might need to carry out the work,” Hughes said.
Supported with $1,000 each will be Lions’ donations to a group which makes headscarves for cancer victims on the Coast, the Aspect school and a scholarship for a needy student at Terrigal High School.
“The remaining $3,000 we will contribute to the Lions’ flood relief program for victims throughout the state,” Hughes said.
Kincumber Village Centre Manager, Paul Springett, said the Village and ISPT recognise the hard work that goes on behind the scenes of community groups and organisations to keep the community united.
The Community Kickstart grants program was established through ISPT’s desire to give back to local groups who have been the lifeblood of communities during unprecedented circumstances.
Terry Collins