On Thursday, August 19, Shepparton RSL president Robert Wilkie and veteran Les Shard presented a cheque to GV Health for the purchase of an oncology treatment chair.
Mr Shard said the idea came to him while he was in the oncology ward receiving treatment.
“I was pretty much half asleep here – I had an idea that it would be good to have the RSL represented in room somehow,” he said.
“I just wrote an idea down on a notepad and now, here we are and we’re able to donate this.”
The RSL life member was a regular at street fundraising stalls for the Anzac Appeal before the COVID-19 pandemic, but he’s never one to take full credit.
“Les does so much for the RSL and despite his poor health he is always volunteering for the group,” Shepparton RSL president Robert Wilkie said.
“Well, I’ve got to do something,” Les said with a laugh.
“When you see the work they do here in oncology – I just can’t praise them enough, they’re angels.”
Mr Wilkie said the donation was made possible thanks to the support of the community.
“We’re a community club, a lot of our funds come from the community and so it’s great to be able to give something back,” he said.
The GV Health oncology department has 12 treatment chairs at the Peter Copulos Cancer and Wellness Centre, with patients travelling from as far as Deniliquin and Finley for treatment.
The donation will see the replacement of older chairs to make treatment more comfortable for patients.
“It’s an extremely generous donation and an amazing thing to do, especially during a pandemic,” GV Health oncology nurse unit manager Linley Smith said.
“We’re very fortunate to have the support of community groups and organisations to ensure people who come to GV Health receive the best possible care.”
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