New bus brings independence

Children and adults with a disability will be able to access the community thanks to the generous donation from Variety the children’s charity of NSW, Sargents Pies Charitable Foundation and Parramatta Leagues Club of a brand new $160,000 accessible bus to Northcott Disability Services.

The Variety Club Sunshine Coach, a 22-seater Mitsubishi Rosa, has been modified to transport wheelchairs.

The bus has a capacity of seven wheelchairs at one time, which also allows nine other people on the bus.

Kerry Stubbs, CEO of Northcott Disability Services said the not-for-profit organisation provided a number of services in and around the metropolitan Sydney region that requires transporting children and young adults with disabilities.

“The new bus will be used across a number of different services including Northcott’s centre-based respite, recreation programs, community participation program and play groups,” Ms. Stubbs said.

“These activities and outings assist in developing our client’s independence and social confidence,” she said.

“The bus replaces an old bus which did not have air conditioning, fewer built-in safety features, no tinted windows and less capacity, meaning more clients will now not only be able to attend outings within the community, but be able to travel in comfort,” she said.

Ms Stubbs said Northcott relies on financial support from the community to continue to provide services and activities for the 8,000 clients and families it supports.

“I am delighted by the efforts of Variety the children’s charity NSW, Sargents Pies Charitable Foundation and the Parramatta Leagues Club in collectively providing us with this much-needed bus,” Ms. Stubbs said.

“Because of their generous and continued support Northcott will be able to continue to fulfil our commitment to our clients and their families in Metropolitan Sydney,” she said.

Variety, the Children’s Charity (NSW) Sunshine Coach Chairman Paul Mullaly said: “Northcott Disability Services’s coach is the 1,141st Sunshine Coach granted throughout Australia.”

“At Variety, we strive to provide wonderful experiences for as many children as possible,” Mr. Mullaly said.

Karl Fretwell from Sargents said: “the Sargents Pies Charitable Foundation is proud to support Northcott Disability Services.”

“Supporting people with disabilities is a major focus for the Sargents Pies Charitable Foundation and the funding provided for the new bus will not only help improve the lives of people with a disability but also their dedicated carers,” Mr. Fretwell said.

Tullio Cofrancesco, Chief Executive of the Parramatta Leagues Club said: “Parramatta Leagues Club has a long and proud association with Northcott Disability Services.”

“When we received the proposal to sponsor the new bus, we immediately saw how beneficial it would be to the services provided by Northcott,” Mr. Cofrancesco said.

“We are honoured to be a part of such an important community project,” he said.