Kathleen Davies and grandson Dylan taking part in the Yooralla Splash Therapy program.By Rebecca Fraser
YOORALLA in Narre Warren has urged all Victorians to make a will to benefit their loved ones and the growing number of charities that need help.
In 1996, the Yooralla Splash Therapy program came to fruition following a bequest made by Clifford Ward through the State Trustees Charitable Trusts.
Mr Ward’s bequest has since continued to help Yooralla help people with a disability to reach their full potential.
Program coordinator for Narre Warren Yooralla, Ann Slater, said the Splash Therapy (hydrotherapy) program enabled children to experience movement that was normally difficult on dry land.
“The temperature of the pool is kept at 36 to 37 degrees and the warm water relaxes tight muscles and makes movement much easier,” Ms Slater said.
“Parents participate in the hydrotherapy sessions with their child in a relaxed environment.”
Ms Slater said the program would definitely be out of reach for many families without Mr Ward’s bequest and urged other people to donate to a charity in their wills.
“It is really heart-warming to know that people in the community care and believe in the work they (Yooralla) do,” she said.
The splash program is held at the Dandenong Valley Special School in Narre Warren with about 20 children from Yooralla’s Narre Warren Central Children’s Centre, the Tarlina Early Childhood Centre in Endeavour Hills and the Mossgiel Park Family and Children’s Centre attending each week.
State Trustees managing director, Tony Fitzgerald, said he was concerned that many Victorians were unaware of the importance of having a will properly prepared, regularly updated and including a charitable bequest.
“Many people have an outdated view that leaving a financial gift to a charity is something only for the rich without relatives. I hope that when the public see the generosity of a bequest come alive, just like Mr. Ward’s dedication to Yooralla, they’ll make a decision to get proactive with the preparation of their will and seek expert advice on how to make a difference through making a bequest,” he said.
Yooralla’s chief executive officer, Bryan Woodford, said leaving a bequest was much more than helping a charity.
“The wonderful part of leaving a bequest is that it helps keep the memory of people alive and it leaves an important legacy of charity and generosity to family, friends and the community,” Mr Woodford said.
