Doors open at home away from home for regional cancer patients
Bendigo Bank House and Mercer House were opened as part of The Hospital Research Foundation's Under Our Roof project this week.
The two, three bedroom homes have been designed to cater for cancer patients and their families, providing much needed accommodation for regional cancer patients receiving treatment at Adelaide hospitals.
Funds raised from the Mercer SuperCycle event – which saw participants ride 1,000 kilometres through more than 30 South Australian communities - funded the construction of the houses in Adelaide's western suburbs.
Bendigo Bank is one of the leading supporters of this event, with 11 Bank employees and four volunteers completing the ride and raising more than $50,000 in 2015. The Bank was also a Stage and Team Partner of SuperCycle this year and is now the proud Naming Partner of one of the houses.
Bendigo Bank State Manager SA/NT and SuperCycle participant, Joe Formichella, said the houses are a tangible example of what passionate people with a strong purpose can achieve.
"Our support of The Under One Roof project addressed our commitment to creating successful communities, supporting regional cancer patients by eliminating the added pressure of travelling or finding accommodation," he said.
"By partnering with Mercer SuperCycle and The Hospital Research Foundation, we have been able to make these fantastic homes a reality and provide comfort to families in their time of need.
"This is more than a bricks and mortar project though; it's a long-term commitment to hundreds of families who will benefit from these houses for years to come.
"We look forward to next year's Mercer SuperCycle and building on this great partnership, so we can continue to support those in need by delivering more houses across the state."
The Hospital Research Foundation CEO, Paul Flynn, said The Under Our Roof project was launching at a crucial time, as there is currently no short-stay accommodation in the western Adelaide suburbs for regional patients to stay in with their families.
"If we can help reduce the impact and stress a cancer diagnosis has on country families who may be separated from loved ones at a vulnerable stage of their lives, then this initiative has been a success and one that we will work to replicate in the coming years," he said.
"We're very excited to be able to welcome our first families in the next few weeks, where we hope they will feel safe and comfortable in these beautiful new homes. When you're Under Our Roof – we want our house to be your home."
"We wish to thank the generous individuals, communities and companies who have donated goods and services to ensure this project can provide all the comforts of home for country patients and their families," Mr Flynn said.
Mercer SuperCycle Chairman, Mark Day, said that it was an exciting and rewarding achievement to be supporting country cancer patients in South Australia.
"We are so pleased to be part of launching these two stunning homes and we are currently gearing up for the 2016 ride so we can continue to raise money to support people in need and really make a difference to the community," he said.
Bendigo Bank is committed to giving back to local communities and their members with more than $8 million returned to South Australian communities through its Community Bank® network.
Supporting projects deemed important by Australian communities is part of Bendigo Bank's commitment to be bigger than a bank. To find out more visit www.bendigobank.com.au
