Future at stake

By Helena Adeloju and Laura Gilmartin
A MONBULK butcher is raising money to have wheelchairs built for disabled third world children.
Brian Parker plans to donate as much money as he can raise to provide needy children overseas with wheelchairs.
Mr Parker began fundraising after hearing that Seville butcher Ron Brooke had raised $1000 for non-profit organisation Wheelchairs for Kids.
The baton has now been passed on to Monbulk Family Butchers, which is aiming to raise as much money on behalf of the Wandin Rotary Club.
“We’re doing it to help out the Rotary Club,” said Mr Parker.
After tax every $70 raised goes to creating a wheelchair and Mr Parker has already raised $200 through placing change tins in his store and asking customers to donate.
Wheelchairs for Kids creates wheelchairs out of recycled materials and sends them to poor countries in India, Africa and Asia.
The wheelchairs go to children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and epilepsy, and children injured in landmine accidents.
Wheelchairs for Kids is reliant on volunteers to help with labour and transport.
Started by the Rotary Club of Scarborough, Western Australia, it now draws support from organisations all over Australia.
Organisation coordinator Stan Giles encouraged members of the public to donate a small amount and change a child’s life.
“It costs more to fill the car with petrol,” he said.
Mr Parker will continue to collect donations for the next three weeks.