A northern suburbs bowling club making a change
North Perth Bowling Club is rallying for a second year to raise money for Neuromuscular WA, a not-for-profit organisation that supports families and people living with neuromuscular conditions.
Last year, the club raised an astounding $52,000 and this year the aim is $55,000.
Neuromuscular WA is a small, WA-based organisation that has been helping families in need since 1967.
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The organisation provides support to people living with neuromuscular conditions so they can live the best life possible, offering families counselling, personal and national advocacy, support in navigating the medical system, education, and social connections.
Neuromuscular conditions are rare, progressive and often life limiting. A person living with the condition can often see their vital organs, such as lungs and heart, affected due to the muscle deterioration.
Neuromuscular WA operations and engagement manager Emma Kenton said the organisation currently supports about 700 people affected with neuromuscular conditions.
'We're often their first point of contact once they've spoken to their neurologist ... guiding them through that really difficult stage when they first get a diagnosis.' she said. 'It's not just the individual we support, it's siblings, grandparents, parents, carers; the whole family is part of our community.
'Social connection is so important. We run kids camps, school holiday programs, carers evenings and fund counselling for any point in their journey.'
Ms Kenton said club volunteers collect prize donations from local businesses through community call-outs and doorknocking.
'They (the volunteers) even walk the streets and go into businesses and ask, it's such an amazing sense of community.' she said.
'It's not just North Perth, the fundraiser brings in people from clubs across WA. It's a massive, collective community effort.'
The organisation has some involvement in research, however the money focuses more on social programs, counselling and education sessions.
Angela Horwood, chair of the North Perth Bowling Club charity committee said the public can get involved in various ways, including donating vouchers and prizes to attending events and buying raffle tickets. The fundraiser made $52,000 last year. Credit: A DESIGN CREATIV
'No matter how you want to contribute or get involved, big or small, we are appreciative, and the people at Neuromuscular WA are as well,' she said.
'They're such a small WA charity that we can be really effective in helping them grow their programs and positively affect the lives of the people they work with.'
Each Friday night in August, the club will be host a charity event, with money made on the night going directly to the cause.
'We have local breweries donate kegs, and we do charity kegs, there's beer specials, items to win through raffles,' Ms Horwood said.
'On the night, we've got our people from the club that cook in the kitchen and it all goes to charity,'
'You come down and purchase your dinner at the club and then that goes straight to charity. And we've also got a couple food trucks coming down that also donate a portion.' Charity beers on tap. Credit: A Design Creativ Photography Per
On Sunday, August 31, North Perth Bowling club will be hosting a family friendly Sunday session charity event with barefoot bowls, face painting, flash tattoos, raffles and auctions.
'If you want to get involved or just come and see what it's about, then the best way to do it is come down on a Friday night or on Sunday, August 31,' Ms Horwood said.
Donations can be made here.
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