By Jessica Anstice
A kind-hearted Pakenham woman with special needs has contributed to Casey Hospital’s finances through creating and selling handmade cards.
On behalf of Berwick Opportunity Shop, dialysis patient Michelle Cleland handed a $1000 cheque to staff members from the hospital’s paediatric ward, palliative ward and dialysis ward.
Berwick Hospital nurse Eileen McDonald said Ms Cleland’s donation is highly appreciated and will go towards much needed new equipment.
A new room for dialysis patients has just opened, called Annese, so additional equipment is essential.
The young lady spends her own money to make the cards with all proceeds from sales going to the opportunity shop.
Ms Cleland’s unique handmade cards cater for all occasions, including birthday, thank you, baby shower and friendship cards.
“The Berwick opportunity shop is extremely grateful to Michelle for giving her valuable time and effort in making a variety of cards with some assistance from her mother, Marie and her carer, Sue,” Berwick Op Shop president Margaret Ruse said.
“In doing so, she has helped to contribute to our donations, which go out at the end of the financial year.”
As Ms Cleland regularly attends the dialysis ward at Casey Hospital, Ms Ruse said she thought it would be great if she would present the cheque herself.
The donation presented to the dialysis ward represents the amount Ms Cleland contributed to the opportunity shop through the sale of her cards.
“The Berwick Opportunity Shop recognises Michelle as a beautiful young lady who has a heart of gold,” she added.
“We truly appreciate her hard work and look forward to seeing her smiling face and of course, her beautiful cards when we are able to open again, hopefully in the near future.”
