IT’s not every day that someone walks into a charity office in Far North Queensland, with a cheque for $300,000.
But that’s exactly what happened a few weeks ago to experienced fundraiser Glenys Duncombe of the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.
“I sat the donor and her friend down in our boardroom and she handed over the cheque – I couldn’t believe it,” Ms Duncombe said.
She quickly fetched Foundation CEO Tony Franz who also was stunned at the donation – the single largest in the Foundation’s history.
The money is to be split equally between the cardiac catheter laboratory project and the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Unit.
At her request, the donor is remaining anonymous, but was happy to talk about her story.
Aged 87, the woman has endured terrible heartache – losing her husband, daughter and grandaughter, as well as undergoing significant medical issues herself.
Born locally at Herries Hospital, in 2008 the woman underwent major heart procedures in Townsville.
“I just think locals should support locals and that’s what I’ve done with this donation. My family has been hit by both heart conditions and cancer, so I wanted to support both causes,” she said.
“Wouldn’t it be great if we all did something like this – what a difference we could make. I want to give back to future generations.”
Her donation brings the tally to $1.2 million for the $1.4 million project, leaving $200,000 remaining to be raised.
Photo: Cairns Hospital interventional cardiologists Dr Greg Starmer and Dr Anthony Brazzale.
