News Articles & Media Releases

20/08/10
Big Donation to Charity Group
Writer: Vanessa Williams
Publication: The West Australian

A local charity group which provides support services for the disabled has welcomed a generous donation from one of Western Australia’s leading builders.

Nulsen, an organisation which provides accommodation, training and therapy services for people whose lives are affected by an intellectual or physical disability or a brain acquired injury, have been presented with a $100,000 cheque from the Homebuyers Centre.

It is the first step in the builder’s funding commitment to Nulsen and will allow the group to continue moving forward with its support services.

Offering its services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Nulsen provides relief for families caring for a loved one, while also enabling those who are left debilitated by their physical or mental condition to manage everyday activities.

Greg Carter, general manager of Homebuyers Centre, said the company wanted to make a difference in the community. “We are a reasonably sized company that makes reasonable profits and we knew we could make a significant contribution,” he said.

Mr Carter said a poll was taken of the Centre’s 120 staff to decide which charitable organisation got the funding.

“The results were overwhelming – 70-80 per cent of our staff selected Nulsen.” He said.

“We have quite a few young staff in their 20s and 30s and Nulsen supports a lot of young people with disabilities.

“I think it really touched a nerve with our staff and it affected them in a way of thinking that someone has gone from being a lively young person to being debilitated for the rest of their life.”

Mr Carter said the ongoing financial commitment would help Nulsen fast-track their accommodation program to house an additional 108 people with disabilities in the next four years.

Homebuyers Centre has begun assisting the charity by helping to source suitable land, helping with design work and providing a discount on building costs.

“I suppose the easy thing is to give someone money but because we’re a builder and we know Nulsen are looking to build nursing homes for young people, we really wanted to help,” he said.

Nulsen deputy chair executive officer Graham Holman said the Homebuyers Centre donations would also go towards additional therapies for people living at home. “Most of our money comes from the Commonwealth Government, while the remaining 20 per cent comes from fees and charitable donations,” he said.