Worthy Donation to Local Charities

Thanks to Metcash and Ashcroft’s IGA Orange, two community organisations will benefit from a $8,600 cheque! Riding for Disabled ($4,300) and Veritas House ($4,300) will both share in the funds that were given last week.

It’s with help from you - the community - when Community Chest Products are purchased, that this money is raised.

Riding for Disabled volunteer, Robyn Livermore explained, “In the past we have been able to put this money towards our centre and its overall maintenance, the horses and feed for the horses which in turn improves the centre which benefits the children.

“This is very appreciated from all of the volunteers at RDA, and the schools from where the students participate, we have 40 children from three schools and some individuals as well.

“As we don’t get any government support all of the money we raise goes straight into our centre, so we are very appreciative of the continuing community support and particularly IGA’s, they have been supporting us for over seven years and without their help it would make everything a lot more difficult.

“This donation, in particular, we will be using to purchase feed, that’s our priority. We are also hopeful to have a feed shed in the coming months which we would put the money towards too.”

Business Development Manager of Veritas House Narelle Stocks added, “We are so lucky to have the support of IGA and we are thankful to Rochelle and her team.

“The funds donated will go to our transitional housing appeal. We are trying to raise funds to purchase a one or two bedroom flat in the Orange community that could be used as transitional housing for young people who have been homeless and stayed at our crisis refuge and find it really hard to get into the private rental market in Orange. If we would own our own flat, they can stay there to get on their feet, our case workers would work with them to build their independent living skills to make sure they are good tenants.

At the end of that time we will be able to show their rental history and write a reference and help them get into the private rental market. It helps the real-estate agents and the community to know they’ve got reliable young people learning good tenancy management skills but also helps break the cycle of homelessness for young people.”

Keep an eye out for IGA Branded and Community Co. branded products when you shop at Ashcroft’s in the future!